What does "prosecution" mean?

1. (legal proceedings) the process of officially accusing someone of a crime and testing the evidence in a court of law. 2. (the legal team) the lawyers who try to prove that a person is guilty of a crime. 3. (carrying out a task) the act of continuing with a plan or a piece of work until it is finished.

How do you use "prosecution"?

Often used with the verbs 'bring', 'initiate', or 'face'. Usually takes a singular verb, though it refers to a team of people. Typically followed by the preposition 'of'.

prosecution

US //ˌpɹɑsəkˈjuʃən// UK //pɹˌɒsɪkjˈuːʃən// pros·e·cu·tion

1 legal proceedings (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal Law

the process of officially accusing someone of a crime and testing the evidence in a court of law.

the institution and conduct of legal proceedings against a person in a criminal court.

Example

The evidence was so weak that the prosecution was dropped before it reached court.

Example

The director of public prosecutions decided that there was sufficient evidence to proceed with a formal prosecution for fraud.

Usage

Often used with the verbs 'bring', 'initiate', or 'face'.
- trial
- legal action
- indictment
- defense
2 the legal team (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal Law

the lawyers who try to prove that a person is guilty of a crime.

the party or legal team conducting the case against a defendant in a criminal court.

Example

The prosecution called three witnesses to testify about what they saw that night.

Example

The prosecution rested its case after presenting a series of forensic reports that linked the suspect to the crime scene.

Usage

Usually takes a singular verb, though it refers to a team of people.
- prosecutors
- the state
- the defense

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3 carrying out a task (n.)
C2 Proficiency Formal Academic

the act of continuing with a plan or a piece of work until it is finished.

the act of carrying out or continuing a task, scheme, or endeavor to its completion.

Example

He was very determined in the prosecution of his professional goals.

Example

The general was praised for his vigorous prosecution of the war, despite the mounting political pressure at home.

Usage

Typically followed by the preposition 'of'.
- abandonment

Origin

Equivalent to prosecute + -ion, from Middle French prosecution, from Late Latin prōsecutio, from Latin prōsequor (“follow, pursue”), from pro- (“onward”) + sequor (“follow”) (English sequel). Compare persecution, and see more at prosecute.