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 1974 political kidnapping of newspaper heiress Patricia Hearst was front-page news for a year and a half — her abduction, then her announcement that she was joining her captors, then her discovery, arrest, and prosecution.

From Los Angeles Times

It is not unusual for the defence or the prosecution to request more time - and there is a 17-month deadline for Murrell to make his next court appearance.

From BBC

The president did not express sympathy for the victims or explain what was sad — the alleged crime itself, or that Mountbatten-Windsor may eventually face prosecution, trial and punishment for what he reportedly did.

From Salon

In that prosecution, a man who worked in the Metropolitan Police pound was accused of taking pictures of human remains found in a crashed vehicle.

From BBC

Duterte now faces his second court date on Monday, when judges will decide whether the prosecution's allegations are strong enough to proceed to trial.

From Barron's

Related Words

• government
• prosecutor