What does "prosecution" mean?
The act of prosecuting a scheme or endeavor.
Prosecution
/ˌpɹɒs.ɪˈkjuː.ʃən/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act of prosecuting a scheme or endeavor.
- Grammar: prosecution is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: accusal, accusation, accusing, action.
- Useful contrasts: abandonment, abeyance, acquittal.
- Usage evidence: The prosecution condemned the defendant for kidnapping a child.
How to use "prosecution"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "prosecution" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "prosecution" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "prosecution" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "prosecution" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "accusal" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The act of prosecuting a scheme or endeavor. countable, uncountable
"The prosecution of the war fell to Winston Churchill."
- 2 the continuance of something begun with a view to its completion wordnet
- 3 The institution of legal proceedings (particularly criminal) against a person. countable, uncountable
"Such a scandal as the prosecution of a brother for forgery—with a verdict of guilty—is a most truly horrible, deplorable, fatal thing. It takes the respectability out of a family perhaps at a critical moment, when the family is just assuming the robes of respectability: […] it is a black spot which all the soaps ever advertised could never wash off."
- 4 the institution and conduct of legal proceedings against a defendant for criminal behavior wordnet
- 5 The prosecuting party. countable, uncountable
"The prosecution case was that the men forced the sisters to strip, threw their clothes over the bridge, then raped them and participated in forcing them to jump into the river to their deaths. As he walked off the bridge, Clemons was alleged to have said: "We threw them off. Let's go.""
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 the lawyers acting for the state to put the case against the defendant wordnet
- 7 In many countries, a legal body and institution, usually part of the state apparatus, empowered to perform prosecution. Prosecutor's Office. See Prosecutor. countable, uncountable
"Backed by public outrage, the prosecution requested the death penalty to be imposed on the murderer."
Example
"The prosecution condemned the defendant for kidnapping a child."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "prosecution"?
Common synonyms include: accusal, accusation, accusing, action, advancement, allegation.
How do you use "prosecution" in a sentence?
The prosecution condemned the defendant for kidnapping a child.
How do you pronounce "prosecution"?
Pronounced /ˌpɹɒs.ɪˈkjuː.ʃən/.
Etymology
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.