noun
Common
prosecution
pros-ih-KYOO-shuhn
Prosecution (noun) means the legal process of charging and trying someone for a crime in court. Example: “Failure to pay the fine could eventually lead to prosecution.”
noun
1
The legal process of charging and trying someone for a crime in court.
"Failure to pay the fine could eventually lead to prosecution."
"The prosecution presented strong evidence against the defendant."
"She faces prosecution for embezzlement."
2
The lawyer or legal team bringing a criminal case against someone.
"The prosecution asked the judge for a short break before closing."
"Lawyers for the prosecution questioned the witness about what she saw that night."
"The prosecution called its first witness on Monday morning."
How to use prosecution
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the act of putting someone on criminal trial, or the legal team doing the prosecuting.
Common pairings
face prosecution
the prosecution rests
criminal prosecution
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Word forms
- Plural
- prosecutions
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Failure to pay the fine could eventually lead to _____.
Etymology
From Late Latin prosecutio, from Latin prosequor ("to pursue"), the same root as "prosecute."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for prosecution
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for prosecution →
Frequently asked questions
What does “prosecution” mean?
The word “prosecution” means the legal process of charging and trying someone for a crime in court. In plain terms, either the act of putting someone on criminal trial, or the legal team doing the prosecuting.
How do you pronounce “prosecution”?
“Prosecution” is pronounced pros-ih-KYOO-shuhn (/ˌpɹɑ.sɪˈkju.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “prosecution” in a sentence?
Here is “prosecution” used in a sentence: “The prosecution presented strong evidence against the defendant.”
What part of speech is “prosecution”?
“Prosecution” is a noun.
Where does the word “prosecution” come from?
The word “prosecution” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin prosecutio, from Latin prosequor ("to pursue"), the same root as "prosecute.".
Is “prosecution” a common word?
“Prosecution” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “prosecution” have?
“Prosecution” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the legal process of charging and trying someone for a crime in court.
What is the difference between prosecution and persecution?
Prosecution is the legal process of charging and trying someone for a crime in court. Persecution is sustained hostile treatment of a person or group, often because of their beliefs, ethnicity, or identity, and involves no legal process. Mixing them up reverses the meaning: one is lawful procedure, the other is abuse.
What is the difference between the prosecution and the defense?
In a criminal trial, the prosecution is the lawyer or legal team bringing the case and trying to prove the defendant's guilt, while the defense represents the accused and challenges that case. The prosecution generally carries the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Is there a prosecution in civil cases?
No. Prosecution refers to criminal proceedings brought on behalf of the state; in civil cases, a private party called the plaintiff (or claimant) sues another party. That is why you prosecute a crime but sue over a contract dispute.
Who is the prosecution in a criminal trial?
The prosecution is the lawyer or legal team bringing the criminal case, normally on behalf of the government — for example, a district attorney's office in the United States or the Crown Prosecution Service in England and Wales. The individual lawyer is called the prosecutor.
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