prosecution

 
Pronunciation: /prɒsɪˈkjuːʃ(ə)n/

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1the institution and conducting of legal proceedings against someone in respect of a criminal charge: the organizers are facing prosecution for noise nuisance [count noun]: they lacked the funds to embark on private prosecutions
  • (the prosecution) [treated as singular or plural] the party instituting or conducting legal proceedings against someone in a lawsuit: the main witness for the prosecution
  • 2the continuation of a course of action with a view to its completion: the BBC’s prosecution of its commercial ends

Origin:

mid 16th century (in prosecution (sense 2)): from Old French, or from late Latin prosecutio(n-), from prosequi 'pursue, accompany' (see prosecute)