prosecution

[pros-i-kyoo-shuhn]

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.

prosecution

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• nonprosecution noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of prosecution¹

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

Example Sentences

Talks between the government and veterans' organisations will take place as the bill progresses, but Sir Keir Starmer has said he is "confident" the bill will not lead to vexatious prosecutions of former soldiers.

Read more on BBC

Victims of fraud are being failed by the criminal justice system, charities are warning, as new analysis suggests only a fraction of reports result in a prosecution.

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Defense attorneys for the suspects have accused the Salehpours of being a rich family so blinded by the grief at losing their young daughter that they effectively bought a prosecution.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

According to evidence presented by the prosecution, Silva was the first to make contact with the tourists and noticed they had valuables.

Read more on Barron's

Sometimes, in the prosecution of a just war, Mr. Levin says, innocents are inadvertently killed.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• government 
• prosecutor