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

Discovery laws lay out the rules for how and when evidence is shared in the course of criminal prosecutions. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2025

Prison officials are investigating the incident and will refer the case to Del Norte County District Attorney’s Office for felony prosecution. —Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2025

Patel told former Trump advisor Steve Bannon in a 2023 interview that Trump was prepared to put supporters in place in intelligence and law enforcement to get rolling on criminal prosecutions. —Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025

The Justice Department is now dismissing hundreds of cases that were still under active prosecution. —Sharyl Attkisson, Baltimore Sun, 30 Jan. 2025

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