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

In a landmark decision last month, the Supreme Court ruled that Trump has presumptive immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts taken while in office. —Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2024

In an April preliminary hearing, a judge reviewed prosecution evidence and ordered Kong to stand trial, despite a defense attempt to lower the charges from murder to manslaughter. —Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2024

The law states that parents of newborns — three days old or younger — can be surrendered to any hospital emergency room or fire station without prosecution. —Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 11 Aug. 2024

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton publicly named the patient’s doctor in an open letter threatening first-degree felony prosecutions and civil penalties of $100,000. —Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN, 10 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing prosecution

• testify for the defense/prosecution
• the prosecution

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