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

Comey's lawyer, Patrick Fitzgerald, said he intends to file a motion seeking to have the case dismissed on the grounds it is a vindictive and selective prosecution.

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Richard Wright KC, for the prosecution, said Ahmad "may have made a most minor contact" with Franco's girlfriend, something to which Franco "appeared to take some petty exception".

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Farm supervisor Mr De Wet was also previously accused of murder, but charges were dropped by the prosecution when he turned state witness.

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Messages revealed the start of their affair in 2024 with texts becoming "increasingly more explicit" according to the prosecution.

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The prosecution said they planned attacks with a third man called Farouk who they thought shared their extremist views.

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Related Words

• government 
• prosecutor