prosecution

noun

pros·​e·​cu·​tion ˌprä-si-ˈkyü-shən 

1

: the act or process of prosecuting

specifically : the institution and continuance of a criminal suit involving the process of pursuing formal charges against an offender to final judgment

2

: the party by whom criminal proceedings are instituted or conducted

3

obsolete : pursuit

Synonyms

• accomplishment
• achievement
• commission
• discharge
• enactment
• execution
• fulfillment
• fulfilment
• implementation
• performance
• perpetration
• pursuance

Examples of prosecution in a Sentence

There has been an increase in prosecutions for gun-related crimes.

The defendant is awaiting prosecution.

The prosecution called their first witness.

The prosecution rests, Your Honor.

The defense told the jury that the prosecution had not proved its case.

Recent Examples on the Web

The arrest and prosecution of judges is where rule by law ends and authoritarianism begins. —Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025

Early Signs Of Reductions And Deregulation The first Trump administration, under SEC Chairman Jay Clayton, delivered some deregulation and a shift in prosecutions targeting high-profile financial fraud rather than lesser violations, but not a reduction of the number of SEC enforcement actions. —Arthur Jakoby, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025

The public received a glimpse of Argentina’s collection of tens of thousands of documents relating to its support for Nazis fleeing prosecution in a documentary in 2018. —Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 5 May 2025

The legislation includes hefty fines and a threat of felony prosecution for petition circulators who do not register with the state, whether they’re paid or not. —Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 5 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing prosecution

• testify for the defense/prosecution
• the prosecution

Rhymes for prosecution

• absolution
• allocution
• attribution
• comminution
• constitution
• contribution
• convolution
• destitution
• devolution
• diminution
• dissolution
• distribution

Kids Definition

prosecution

noun

pros·​e·​cu·​tion ˌpräs-i-ˈkyü-shən 

1

: the act or process of prosecuting

especially : the bringing and continuance of a criminal case

2

: the one bringing charges of crime against a person being tried

especially : the state's lawyers in a criminal case

Legal Definition

prosecution

noun

pros·​e·​cu·​tion ˌprä-si-ˈkyü-shən 

1

: the act or process of prosecuting

especially : the institution and carrying on of a criminal action involving the process of seeking formal charges against a person and pursuing those charges to final judgment

2

: the party by whom criminal proceedings are instituted or conducted compare defense sense 3, plaintiff