prosecution

American  

[pros-i-kyoo-shuhn] / ˌprɒs ɪˈkyu ʃən /

noun

1. Law.

   1. the institution and carrying on of legal proceedings against a person.

   2. the body of officials by whom such proceedings are instituted and carried on.

2. the following up of something undertaken or begun, usually to its completion.

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prosecution British  

/ ˌprɒsɪˈkjuːʃən /

noun

1. the act of prosecuting or the state of being prosecuted

2. 1. the institution and conduct of legal proceedings against a person

   2. the proceedings brought in the name of the Crown to put an accused on trial

3. the lawyers acting for the Crown to put the case against a person Compare defence

4. the following up or carrying on of something begun, esp with a view to its accomplishment or completion

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Other Word Forms

• nonprosecution noun

Etymology

Origin of prosecution

First recorded in 1555–65; from Late Latin prōsecūtiōn-, stem of prōsecūtiō “follow-up”; equivalent to prosecute + -ion

Example Sentences

The prosecution told Westminster Magistrates' Court the individual had been arrested on Saturday morning at the court.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

The prosecution was later thrown out and Halligan’s appointment deemed illegal.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

The DOJ declined the case for prosecution last June, citing the “prioritization of federal resources and interests.”

From Salon • Apr. 1, 2026

Swift and effective prosecution can be a much stronger deterrent to misconduct than regulations that aim to prevent misconduct but rarely do.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

The "Pumpkin Papers" emerged as Exhibit A in Alger Hiss's prosecution, in a trial that lasted from November 1949 to January 1950.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau

Related Words

• government
• prosecutor