prosecution

noun

pros·​e·​cu·​tion ˌprä-si-ˈkyü-shən How to pronounce prosecution (audio)
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

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 That may account for the panicky next step launched by DeSantis and Ladapo on Oct. 3: the letter threatening broadcasters with criminal prosecution for airing a commercial produced by Floridians Protecting Freedom and promoting Amendment 4. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2024 In office, Trump faced resistance to his demands for prosecution. David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 22 Oct. 2024 But this summer, San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan worked around the state law by dismissing murder and attempted murder charges against two 15-year-olds and transferring them to a federal district court for prosecution. Axios San Diego, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024 The state's attorney general had threatened him with felony prosecution for failing to execute a duty of his office. Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prosecution 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prosecution.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prosecution was in 1545

Dictionary Entries Near prosecution

Cite this Entry

“Prosecution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prosecution. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

prosecution

noun
pros·​e·​cu·​tion ˌpräs-i-ˈkyü-shən How to pronounce prosecution (audio)
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 How to pronounce prosecution (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on prosecution

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