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

By 2 August 2024, Cross had opened an account on the website where he directed the victims to pay him for the chemicals, according to the prosecution.

From BBC

Experts also cite a 2015 Supreme Court ruling that laws criminalising speech must be precise, not vague or overly broad, to avoid a "chilling effect" in which people self-censor for fear of prosecution.

From BBC

This distinction between official acts deserving immunity and criminal conduct deserving prosecution should sound familiar.

From The Wall Street Journal

While there, he handled only two prosecutions related to elections.

From Los Angeles Times

If such denials can be made with a straight face, they may carry the day when a prosecution is at stake.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• government
• prosecutor