prosecute

[ pros-i-kyoot ]

verb (used with object)

, pros·e·cut·ed, pros·e·cut·ing.

1. Law.
   1. to institute legal proceedings against (a person).
   2. to seek to enforce or obtain by legal process.
   3. to conduct criminal proceedings in court against.
2. to follow up or carry forward something undertaken or begun, usually to its completion:

   to prosecute a war.

3. to carry on or practice.

   Synonyms: conduct, execute, discharge, perform

verb (used without object)

, pros·e·cut·ed, pros·e·cut·ing.

1. Law.
   1. to institute and carry on a legal prosecution.
   2. to act as prosecutor.

prosecute

/ ˈprɒsɪˌkjuːt /

verb

1. tr to bring a criminal action against (a person) for some offence
2. intr
   1. to seek redress by legal proceedings
   2. to institute or conduct a prosecution
3. tr to engage in or practise (a profession or trade)
4. tr to continue to do (a task, etc)

Derived Forms

• ˈproseˌcutable, adjective

Other Words From

• prose·cuta·ble adjective
• prose·cuta·bili·ty noun
• nonpros·e·cuta·ble adjective
• quasi-prose·cuted adjective
• re·prose·cute verb (used with object) reprosecuted reprosecuting
• well-prose·cuted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prosecute¹

1400–50; late Middle English prosecuten to follow up, go on with < Latin prōsecūtus, past participle of prōsequī to pursue, proceed with, equivalent to prō- pro- ¹ + secū-, variant stem of sequī to follow + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of prosecute¹

C15: from Latin prōsequī to follow, from prō- forward + sequī to follow

Example Sentences

The firm Harmony CCS Limited, which is based in Belfast, was prosecuted and pleaded guilty to a single health and safety breach.

From BBC

Norfolk County Council prosecuted the parents and guardians, and all the absences were recorded between December 2023 and July.

From BBC

Ray Tully KC, prosecuting, summarised the statement from Nikki Knight, the mother of Mason, describing how the attack on her son took place outside their home.

From BBC

Her answer: She had prosecuted drug traffickers earlier in her career.

From Salon

His attorneys general, Jeff Sessions and Bill Barr, quietly sidelined his demands that they prosecute Hillary Clinton and other top Democrats.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arraign
• indict
• litigate
• sue
• summon
• try