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
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 postwar period offers fertile ground for narratives about war’s origin, prosecution, and conclusion.
—
Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
However, since the family is choosing to not bring charges, the suspects will not face prosecution and authorities will not reveal their identities.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2025
The judge said the defense and prosecution need additional time to complete discovery and file motions related to whether non-evidentiary hearings should be held remotely and whether the court should impose any restrictions on cameras in the courtroom.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
While Illinois’s collection of information regarding federal immigration operations is not unlawful, any prosecution using that data in the future would have to come from the Justice Department.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prosecution
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Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
However, since the family is choosing to not bring charges, the suspects will not face prosecution and authorities will not reveal their identities.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2025
The judge said the defense and prosecution need additional time to complete discovery and file motions related to whether non-evidentiary hearings should be held remotely and whether the court should impose any restrictions on cameras in the courtroom.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
While Illinois’s collection of information regarding federal immigration operations is not unlawful, any prosecution using that data in the future would have to come from the Justice Department.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prosecution
Cite this Entry
“Prosecution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prosecution. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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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