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 The former president compared his prosecutions — 91 counts in four separate cases, in which he is accused him of paying hush money to an adult-film actress, mishandling classified files and trying to overturn the 2020 election — to discrimination against Black Americans. Marianne Levine, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Officials point to prosecutions in the United States for abetting violence. Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 The Supreme Court will hear arguments on April 25 in the blockbuster case over whether Trump may claim immunity from prosecution in the federal election subversion case. Aj Willingham, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 The suspects have been charged with hindering prosecution, tampering with physical evidence and concealment of a human corpse, per the statement. Samira Asma-Sadeque, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 The result was a prosecution of the Royal Court, which ended with a district magistrate deciding that the theater had indeed flouted the censor. Benedict Nightingale, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 The overall timeline of the Trump prosecution matters for assessing the Supreme Court’s timing. Noah Feldman, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2024 Under that plea deal, Weisselberg was required to testify as a prosecution witness at a trial that led to the Trump Organization's conviction on charges of helping executives evade taxes. Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 5 Mar. 2024 The former president faces 91 criminal charges in four prosecutions. Mark Sherman, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2024

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 18 Mar. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!