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
During her confirmation hearing, Trump attorney general nominee Pam Bondi repeatedly cited the two federal prosecutions of the president as an example of government weaponization.
—
Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025
Watch on Deadline The pardons are unusual, in that they were not issued for any charges or convictions, but to protect against any future prosecution.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2025
Pam Bondi, Trump's nominee for attorney general, said last week during her confirmation hearing that there wouldn't be political prosecutions on her watch.
—Tamara Keith, NPR, 20 Jan. 2025
Among the new policies implemented, jail informants must now be approved by the sheriff, and informants used in prosecutions have to be vetted by an internal review committee in the district attorney’s office.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for prosecution 
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Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025
Watch on Deadline The pardons are unusual, in that they were not issued for any charges or convictions, but to protect against any future prosecution.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2025
Pam Bondi, Trump's nominee for attorney general, said last week during her confirmation hearing that there wouldn't be political prosecutions on her watch.
—Tamara Keith, NPR, 20 Jan. 2025
Among the new policies implemented, jail informants must now be approved by the sheriff, and informants used in prosecutions have to be vetted by an internal review committee in the district attorney’s office.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
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 24 Jan. 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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