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 remedies for these types of claims are similar to those that a plaintiff could obtain in a breach-of-fiduciary-duty claim. An attorney-in-fact who has significantly breached their duty could face criminal prosecution.”

From MarketWatch

The move followed a BBC investigation into the unprecedented number of women enduring criminal investigations, with more than 100 prosecutions under the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act in recent years.

From BBC

The CQC was given powers to prosecute trusts for serious failures in care in 2015, to date there have been five prosecutions.

From BBC

The office would investigate integrity flags, coordinate with law enforcement, refer crimes for prosecution and recommend best practices to prevent future wrongdoing.

From MarketWatch

Read this excellent Andrew McCarthy piece on the problems with terror-related prosecutions, sentences, parole and supervision.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• government
• prosecutor