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
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 suspect, named in a prosecution statement as Yaqi X., is accused of passing on information obtained while working for a logistics company at Leipzig/Halle airport to a member of the Chinese secret service.
—
Carlo Angerer, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
While the Supreme Court has already given him more liberty to act outside the bounds of constitutional norms—granting all presidents immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts—many of his other measures will face legal challenges.
—Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
Its attorneys launch hate crimes prosecutions, investigate discrimination in employment and housing, and sue states when their voting rules run afoul of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
—Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 1 Nov. 2024
Potential voter fraud cases are referred to district attorneys for investigation, and if necessary, possible prosecution.
—Cailey Gleeson, Journal Sentinel, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prosecution 
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Carlo Angerer, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
While the Supreme Court has already given him more liberty to act outside the bounds of constitutional norms—granting all presidents immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts—many of his other measures will face legal challenges.
—Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
Its attorneys launch hate crimes prosecutions, investigate discrimination in employment and housing, and sue states when their voting rules run afoul of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
—Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 1 Nov. 2024
Potential voter fraud cases are referred to district attorneys for investigation, and if necessary, possible prosecution.
—Cailey Gleeson, Journal Sentinel, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prosecution
Dictionary Entries Near prosecution
Cite this Entry
“Prosecution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prosecution. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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