prosecutor

noun

pros·​e·​cu·​tor ˈprä-si-ˌkyü-tər 

1

: a person who institutes a prosecution before a court

2

: prosecuting attorney

Examples of prosecutor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Garcia Richard in a letter sent last week called on federal authorities and state prosecutors to ensure a thorough criminal investigation into allegations related to the ranch. —Susan Montoya Bryan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026

But his attorneys with the Idaho State Public Defender’s Office said Cassia County prosecutors and police — assisted by the FBI — have long had the wrong man. —Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 20 Feb. 2026

There was a rivalry between Jones and Pata over women and sports, prosecutors argued during opening statements this week. —Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026

Even then, county officials didn’t reach out to the district attorney to flag possible criminal activity, prosecutors said. —Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for prosecutor

• persecutor
• commuter
• computer
• polluter
• recruiter
• microcomputer
• minicomputer
• supercomputer
• neuter
• pewter
• router
• scooter

Kids Definition

prosecutor

noun

pros·​e·​cu·​tor ˈpräs-i-ˌkyüt-ər 

: a person (as a district attorney) who prosecutes especially a criminal case as lawyer for the state

Legal Definition

prosecutor

noun

pros·​e·​cu·​tor ˈprä-si-ˌkyü-tər 

1

: a person who institutes a prosecution (as by making an affidavit or complaint charging the defendant)

2

: a government attorney who presents the state's case against the defendant in a criminal prosecution