plural prosecutions
1
: the act or process of holding a trial against a person who is accused of a crime to see if that person is guilty
There has been an increase in prosecutions for gun-related crimes.
The defendant is awaiting prosecution.
2
: the side of a legal case which argues that a person who is accused of a crime is guilty : the lawyer or lawyers who prosecute someone in a court case
The prosecution called their first witness.
The prosecution rests, Your Honor.
The defense told the jury that the prosecution had not proved its case.
—often used before another nounprosecution attorneys/lawyers
3
formal
: the act of doing or continuing to do something
—usually + of
the prosecution of the war
Cite this Entry
“Prosecution.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/prosecution. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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