# prosecution

/ˌpɹɑsəkˈjuʃən/ (US) · /pɹˌɒsɪkjˈuːʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/prosecution
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. legal proceedings

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

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

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

### 2. the legal team

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

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

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

### 3. carrying out a task

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Academic

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

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

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

## Examples

- The prosecution presented its evidence to the jury.
- The witness agreed to testify for the prosecution in exchange for a lighter sentence.
- Despite a wealth of circumstantial evidence, the prosecution struggled to establish a clear motive that would satisfy the jury beyond a reasonable doubt.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.