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

At the February court hearing where Patel pleaded not guilty, his defense attorney, Josh Bentley, said his wife, Neha, did not want her husband to face prosecution, KNTV reported at the time. —Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 27 Apr. 2024

The judge dismissed the defense and prosecution at 4:29 p.m. ET. – Aysha Bagchi Records for second transaction for Cohen also indicate no political fundraising connection Prosecutor Rebecca Mangold showed Farro a form related to another possible transaction for Cohen. —Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2024

She was arrested for hindering prosecution and failing to report child abuse or neglect. —Kira Caspers, The Arizona Republic, 26 Apr. 2024

The conservative justices did not seem concerned that Mr. Trump’s lawyer, D. John Sauer, said his client was free during his presidency to commit lawless acts, subject to prosecution only after impeachment by the House and conviction in the Senate. —Adam Liptak, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2024

Alito went on to suggest that barring criminal prosecutions of a former president would be a good thing for democracy. —Nina Totenberg, NPR, 26 Apr. 2024

Justice Samuel Alito seemed really concerned about the president being subject to political prosecution if he were not protected by immunity. —Claire B. Wofford, The Conversation, 25 Apr. 2024

Bragg was not in office during Weinstein's prosecution in the case. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2024

Conservatives worried about bad faith prosecutions Several conservative-leaning justices expressed concerns about the potential for bad faith prosecutions against a president. —Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 25 Apr. 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