prosecutepros‧e‧cute /ˈprɒsɪkjuːt $ ˈprɑː-/ ●●○ verb 
Shoplifters will be prosecuted.prosecute somebody for (doing) something Buxton is being prosecuted for assault.prosecute somebody under a law/Act etc The company is to be prosecuted under the Health and Safety Act.2[intransitive, transitive] if a lawyer prosecutes a case, he or she tries to prove that the person charged with a crime is guilty: Mrs Lynn Smith, prosecuting, said the offence took place on January 27.3[transitive] formal to continue doing something: We cannot prosecute the investigation further.
WORD ORIGINprosecute
Origin:
1400-1500 Latin past participle of prosequi ‘to follow and try to catch’VERB TABLE
prosecute
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | prosecute |
| he, she, it | prosecutes | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | prosecuted |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have prosecuted |
| he, she, it | has prosecuted | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had prosecuted |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will prosecute |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have prosecuted |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am prosecuting |
| he, she, it | is prosecuting | |
| you, we, they | are prosecuting | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was prosecuting |
| you, we, they | were prosecuting | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been prosecuting |
| he, she, it | has been prosecuting | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been prosecuting |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be prosecuting |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been prosecuting |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Baldwin was prosecuted in 1998 for distributing child pornography on line.
- Last year, Napolitano's office prosecuted 115 child abuse cases, the highest number in the nation.
- People who give the police false information will be prosecuted.
- The Prime Minister pledged to do everything possible to prosecute those who carried out the bombing.
- The shopkeeper is unlikely to prosecute if the stolen goods are returned.
- We will continue to prosecute the war to the end.
- Who is going to prosecute the case?
- Winstanley was prosecuted for criminal damage of property.
- Employers who are aware of a problem and who don't act are liable to be prosecuted.
- However, Bee said she still planned to prosecute the four on robbery charges in Superior Court.
- Older men are more likely to be prosecuted.
- Persecuting the tout - and, if possible, prosecuting him as well - has become a sport in itself.
- That bill would have allowed juveniles to be prosecuted as adults for drug conspiracy, violent crimes and offenses involving guns.
- The evidence in this case was so weak that to prosecute it at all was questionable.
- Then he drove off, the wrong way down the dual carriageway, said Jane Cockburn, prosecuting.
Longman Language Activatorwhen someone is officially accused of a crime
if the police charge someone, they tell that person that they believe he or she is guilty of a crime, and that the person must appear in court so that it can be proved whether they are guilty or not : charge somebody with murder/theft/assault etc: · The man they arrested last night has been charged with murder.· They're going to charge him with dangerous driving.charge somebody with doing something: · Police have charged a 22-year-old man with robbing two Japanese tourists.be charged: · Twelve people involved in the demonstration have been arrested and charged.
also bring charges British to make an official statement accusing someone of a crime or an offence, so that they will be judged in a court of law: · He's in trouble this time. The police have said they're going to press charges.press charges against: · Curran decided to bring charges against the man who attacked him.· Charges have been brought against the demonstrators.
if the authorities prosecute someone, they try to prove that the person is guilty of a crime in a court of law so that they can be punished: · The shopkeeper is unlikely to prosecute if the stolen goods are returned. · People who give the police false information will be prosecuted.prosecute somebody for something: · Winstanley was prosecuted for criminal damage of property.
to send someone to a court of law where they will be officially accused of a serious crime and will be judged: · Blake was brought to trial and sentenced to seven years in prison.put somebody on trial for something: · A Glasgow girl was put on trial for poisoning her lover.bring somebody to trial for something: · These men were brought to trial for a crime they did not commit.
to officially accuse someone of a crime, so that they will be judged in a court of law - used especially in the American legal system: be indicted: · A leading cocaine trafficker has been indicted by the United States government.indict somebody for something: · He was indicted for perjury before a grand jury.
to officially accuse an important public official or politician of a crime when they are in a position of authority - used especially in the American legal system: · Congress voted to impeach the President, but he resigned before any action was taken.impeach somebody for doing something: · The governor was impeached for accepting bribes.
to bring someone to court to be judged to officially say that someone has broken the law and bring them to a court of law to be judged: · Shoplifters will be prosecuted.· The Prime Minister pledged to do everything possible to prosecute those who carried out the bombing.prosecute somebody for something: · Baldwin was prosecuted in 1998 for distributing child pornography online.prosecute a case American: · Last year, Napolitano's office prosecuted 115 child abuse cases, the highest number in the nation.
to officially bring someone to a court of law to be judged: · A month after the murder, a man was arrested by police and put on trial.put sb on trial for: · The couple were put on trial for fraud and found guilty.
WORD SETSaccess, nounacquit, verbacquittal, nounactionable, adjectiveact of God, nounadjourn, verbadminister, verbadmissible, adjectiveADR, nounadversarial, adjectiveadvocate, nounaffidavit, nounage, nounaggrieved, adjectiveagreement, nounannual return, anti-dumping, adjectiveantitrust, adjectiveAppeal Court, nounappear, verbappellate court, nounarraign, verbarticled clerk, articles of association, nounassignee, nounassizes, nounattachment, nounattest, verbattorney, nounattorney-at-law, nounattorney general, nounaverage clause, bailable, adjectivebailee, nounbailiff, nounbailment, nounban, nounbarrister, nounbeneficial owner, beneficiary, nounbequeath, verbbequest, nounbest efforts, adjectivebid-rigging, nounbill, nounbill of rights, nounblue law, nounbody corporate, bond, nounbook, verbbox, nounbreakdown clause, break fee, brief, nounbroker's lien, burden of proof, nounbusiness entity, buyer's risk, bylaw, nouncabotage, nouncadastre, nouncase, nouncase law, nouncash shell, nouncause, nouncause célèbre, nouncause of action, nouncaution, nouncaution, verbcertificate of incorporation, nouncertificate of protest, nouncertificate of search, nounchain of title, nounchallenge, nounchallenge, verbchancery, nounChapter 7, nouncharge, nouncharge, verbcharges register, chief justice, nouncircuit court, nouncite, verbcitizen's arrest, nouncivil, adjectivecivil law, nounclaim, nounclaimant, nounclass action, nounclause, nounclean, adjectivecloud on title, nouncollusion, nouncommerce clause, committal, nouncommon law, nouncommunity property, nounCommunity Reinvestment Act, nouncommutation, nounCompanies House, nouncompanies registry, company limited by guarantee, nouncompany limited by shares, nouncompany officer, competence, nouncompetent, adjectivecomplainant, nouncompletion, nouncompletion date, compliance officer, compulsory purchase, nounconditional discharge, nouncondition precedent, nouncondition subsequent, nounconduct money, confidentiality clause, confirmation hearing, conflict of laws, nounconjugal, adjectiveconsensus ad idem, nounconsent decree, consenting adult, nounconservator, nounconstituted, adjectiveconstitution, nounconstitutional, adjectiveconstitutionality, nouncontempt, nouncontest, verbcontingency fee, contract of insurance, nouncontract of purchase, nouncontract of service, nouncontravene, verbcontravention, nouncontributory negligence, nounconvey, verbconveyance, nounconveyancing, nounconvict, verbconviction, nouncopyright, nounco-respondent, nouncosignatory, nouncounsel, nouncounty court, nouncourthouse, nouncourt-martial, nouncourt-martial, verbCourt of Appeal, nounCourt of Appeals, nouncourt of inquiry, nouncourt of law, nounCourt of Queen's Bench, nouncourt order, nouncourt reporter, nouncourtroom, nouncramdown, nouncriminal, adjectivecriminal injury, criminalize, verbcriminal law, nouncross-examine, verbCrown Court, nouncurfew, nouncustodial, adjectiveD.A., noundata protection, death sentence, noundeath warrant, noundeclaration of association, noundecree, noundecree absolute, noundecree nisi, noundecriminalize, verbdeed, noundeed of conveyance, noundefalcation, noundefend, verbdefendant, noundeficiency judgment, noundeficiency judgment, de jure, adjectivedeposition, noundeputy, nounderivative lease, desertion, noundiminished responsibility, noundiplomatic immunity, noundirectors register, disabled quota, disbar, verbdischarge of contract, noundisclaim, verbdisclaimer, noundiscretionary, adjectivedisinherit, verbdismiss, verbdispense, verbdisposition, noundispossess, verbdissent, noundissolution, noundistrain, verbdistrict attorney, noundistrict court, noundivorce, noundivorce, verbdivorced, adjectivedocket, noundonee, noundouble jeopardy, noundraftsman, noundrink-driving, noundrunk driving, noundue process, nounduress, nouneasement, nounedict, nouneffective, adjectiveeminent domain, nounempower, verbenabling, adjectiveenabling clause, enact, verbendowment, nounenforced, adjectiveenjoin, verbescape clause, escrow, nounescrow agent, estate, nounestoppel, nounevidence, nounexamination, nounexamination-in-chief, nounexamine, verbexculpate, verbexecute, verbexecutor, nounexecutrix, nounexhibit, nounexpectations, nounex post facto law, nounexpropriate, verbextradite, verbextrajudicial, adjectivefair dealing, false representation, nounfee absolute, nounfiduciary, nounfiduciary, adjectivefinding, nounfirm name, nounfixtures and fittings, nounforce majeure, nounforeman, nounforewoman, nounfreeholder, nounfree pardon, nounfrustration of contract, fugitive, nounfugitive, adjectivegagging order, gag order, noungarnishee, verbgarnishee, noungeneral counsel, noungeneral practice, noungive, verbgrand jury, noungrantee, noungrantor, noungreen paper, noungross misconduct, ground rent, nounguarantee, verbguarantor, nounguaranty, nounguillotine, verbguilt, noungun control, nounhabeas corpus, nounHague Rules, nounhear, verbhearing, nounheir, nounheir apparent, nounhereafter, adverbhereditament, nounhereinafter, adverbhereof, adverbhereto, adverbheritable, adjectiveHigh Court, nounHighway Code, nounhirer, nounhuman right, nounimplied term, inadmissible, adjectiveinalienable, adjectiveincriminate, verbindemnify, verbindemnity, nounindict, verbindictable, adjectiveindictment, nounindustrial tribunal, nouninitiative, nouninjunction, nounin loco parentis, adverbinnocence, nouninnocent, adjectiveinoperative, adjectiveinquest, nouninsanity, nouninstruct, verbintellectual property, nounintent, nouninterdict, nouninterlocutory injunction, invoke, verbJane Doe, nounjob quota, joint and several liability, JP, nounjudge, nounjudge, verbjudicial, adjectivejuridical, adjectivejurisdiction, nounjurisprudence, nounjurist, nounjuror, nounjury, nounjury box, nounjury service, nounjustice, nounJustice of the Peace, nounjustifiable homicide, nounjuvenile, adjectivekangaroo court, nounKing's Counsel, nounlaw firm, nounlawyer, nounlease, nounleasehold, adjectiveleaseholder, nounlegatee, nounlegator, nounlessee, nounlessor, nounletters of administration, nounliable, adjectivelicensee, nounlien, nounlienee, nounlienor, nounlimited liability, nounliquidated damages, litigant, nounlitigate, verblitigation, nounlitigator, nounlitigious, adjectiveliving will, nounloophole, nounmagisterial, adjectivemagistracy, nounmagistrate, nounMagistrates' Court, nounmaintenance, nounmajority, nounmalfeasance, nounmalpractice, nounmarriage certificate, nounmarriage licence, nounmarriage lines, nounmaterial, adjectivematerial fact, nounmemorandum, nounmiscarriage of justice, nounmisdirect, verbmisfeasance, nounmisstatement, nounmistrial, nounM'lord, nounM'lud, nounmoiety, nounmonies, nounmoot court, nounmoratorium, nounmovable, nounno-fault, adjectivenolo contendere, nounnonfeasance, nounnon-negotiable, adjectivenotary, nounnuisance, nounnullify, verbnullity, nounoath, nounopen-and-shut case, nounopen verdict, nounoperative mistake, nounordinance, nounoriginating application, originating summons, outlaw, nounout-of-court settlement, nounoyez, interjectionpalimony, nounpanel, nounparalegal, nounpardon, verbpardon, nounparty, nounpass, verbpassage, nounpatent, nounpatent, adjectivepaternity, nounpaternity suit, nounpatrimony, nounpenal code, nounpenalty, nounperformance contract, perjury, nounpersonal injury, personal representative, personalty, nounpetition, nounpetition, verbpetitioner, nounplaintiff, nounplanning permission, nounplea bargaining, nounpleadings, nounpledgee, nounpolice, verbpositive discrimination, nounpower of attorney, nounprecedent, nounprejudice, verbpreservation order, nounpresume, verbprice-fixing, nounprima facie, adjectiveprimary residence, prime tenant, primogeniture, nounprivate law, nounprivileged, adjectiveprivity, nounprobate, nounprobate, verbprobation, nounprobationer, nounprobation officer, nounpro bono, adjectiveprocedural, adjectiveproceeding, nounproceedings, nounprohibit, verbprohibition, nounprohibitive, adjectivepromulgate, verbpronounce, verbproposition, nounproscribe, verbprosecute, verbprosecution, nounprosecutor, nounprotective custody, nounprove, verbprovision, nounprovisional licence, nounproximate cause, nounpublic defender, nounpublic prosecutor, nounpublic service vehicle, punishable, adjectiveQC, nounquarter sessions, nounquash, verbQueen's Counsel, nounreal property, nounrecess, nounrecess, verbrecognition, nounrecognizance, nounrecorder, nounreeve, nounregulation, nounremand, verbremand, nounrepeal, verbrescind, verbrespondent, nounrestoration, nounrestore, verbretainer, nounretrial, nounretroactive, adjectiveretrospective, adjectiveretry, verbreversion, nounrevocation, nounrevoke, verbRex, nounright of appeal, nounroad tax, nounroot of title, royalty payment, rule, verbruling, nounsaid, adjectivesalami slicing, nounSarbanes-Oxley Act, nounscheme of arrangement, nounsentence, nounsentence, verbsequester, verbsession, nounsettlement date, settlement terms, shall, modal verbshell company, sheriff, nounsheriff court, nounshow trial, nounsitting tenant, nounsmall claims court, nounsolicitor, nounsolicitor general, nounSOX, nounspecial licence, nounspecific performance, speed limit, nounstakeholder, nounstate attorney, nounstate court, nounstated case, statute, nounstatute law, nounstatute of limitations, nounstatutory, adjectivestatutory report, stay, nounstay of execution, nounstipendiary magistrate, nounstoppage in transit, nounsub judice, adverbsubmission, nounsuborn, verbsubpoena, nounsubpoena, verbsue, verbsuit, nounsumming up, nounsumming-up, nounsummons, nounsummons, verbSupreme Court, nounsurety, nounsuspended sentence, nounswear, verbtechnicality, nountenant at sufferance, nountenant at will, nountenant for years, nountenant in common, nountenure, nountestament, nountestator, nountest case, nountest certificate, nountestify, verbtestimony, nounthereinafter, adverbthird party, nounthrough, prepositionticket, nounticket, verbtitle, nountitle deed, nountitle holder, nountort, nountradename, nounTrading Standards, treasure trove, nountrespass, verbtrespass, nountrial, nountrust for sale, nounultra vires, adjectiveunderwriting power, undue influence, noununlicensed, adjectiveuphold, verbverdict, nounvindicate, verbvisa, nounvoucher, nounward, nounwarrant, nounwhereas, conjunctionwill, nounwill, verbwinding up, nounwitness, nounwitness, verbwitness box, nounwrit, nounwrongful termination,
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY The company is to be prosecuted under the Health and Safety Act.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
1[intransitive, transitive] to charge someone with a crime and try to show that they are guilty of it in a court of law: The company is to be prosecuted under the Health and Safety Act.· But despite their efforts, only three thousand cases were successfully prosecuted.· Only five of the 42 offending mills had been successfully prosecuted.
NOUN· Rick Romley, Maricopa County attorney, declined to prosecute them, however.· Cummins replaced Linda Klee, who was demoted to trial attorney and will prosecute gang-related cases, Hallinan said.
· The authorities who prosecuted Lisa had explanations for everything.
· But despite their efforts, only three thousand cases were successfully prosecuted.· The division decides which cases to prosecute, plea bargain or drop.· All Supreme Court cases and selected district court cases were prosecuted by a government official.· In 33 cases, guards were prosecuted.
· Mr Antonis Georges, prosecuting, told the court they were specimen charges.· Lady Ardshiel was prosecuted through the courts in an unsuccessful attempt to recover rents received by her since Culloden.· Of those cases reported, less than half are prosecuted through the courts and only 23 percent result in convictions.· Twice Joyce was prosecuted in the police courts.
· The chief military prosecutor said 12 servicemen are being prosecuted for crimes against civilians in Chechnya and another 46 are being investigated.· But officials prosecuting the crime deny that police were involved.· Among those Gutierrez prosecuted for the crime were two former federal police commanders with alleged underworld connections, Martinez said.
· And last night his colleagues and family had no doubt that a decision to prosecute drove Mr Stewart to his death.· This involves giving legal advice to ministers and implementing government decisions, as well as prosecuting those who contravene regulations.· It is too soon to say when a decision whether to prosecute will be taken.
· This involves giving legal advice to ministers and implementing government decisions, as well as prosecuting those who contravene regulations.· Previous complaints by environmental organisations, like those on drinking water, have resulted in the Government being prosecuted.
· The accused may be prosecuted under Criminal Law whereas a private individual may be sued under Civil Law.· Holmes sought their identities, so he could prosecute them for violating laws regarding grand jury secrecy.· Holmes had subpoenaed Lenhart to name the jurors, so he could prosecute them for violating laws requiring grand jury secrecy.· Magistrates, jurors and local constables showed themselves increasingly willing to prosecute the laws against the Nonconformists.
· Can the hotel receptionist be prosecuted for an offence under s.14 Trade Descriptions Act 1968?· It was the first time the company has been prosecuted for a hygiene offence.
· The authority has warned that it will not hesitate to prosecute persistent offenders.· They commit themselves to inquire into all alleged cases of torture and to prosecute offenders.· The Civil Rights Division prosecuted the offender after he sought to intimidate the victim by burning a cross near his home.
· She said her office prosecuted just three panhandling cases last year in the downtown area.
· A reluctance to prosecute police officers.· Despite the increase in incidents of police abuse, the department showed disinterest in prosecuting police officers for brutality.· Brendan Kelly, prosecuting, said the officers were invited to choose from a selection of women aged between 18 and 30.
· Earlier this month police in Brixton, south London, abandoned prosecuting people found with small amounts of the drug.· There is nothing unfair and nothing bogus or malicious about upholding the law and prosecuting people who are charged with breaking it.· And revisions to the legal system to deal with the increase in cases means they will be able to prosecute more people.· There should be codes of practice and we should prosecute people who carelessly ignore the interests of their surroundings.
· When police failed to prosecute Ferrier, Miss Brady threatened to bring a private prosecution.· Such claims may only be investigated by the police and prosecuted in the normal way.· Fortunately the police did not prosecute and she was very successfully treated with medication.· It was a totally unprovoked attack and in the end the police were prosecuted for assault.· Last year Thames Valley police cautioned or prosecuted sixteen hundred and seventy-three people possessing controlled drugs.· But the police say they will prosecute where offences can be proved.
· A serious threat to the government's ability to prosecute the war were rumours of an imminent military coupd'etat.· The government had neither funds nor resources with which to prosecute a successful war against her stronger northern neighbor.· He had prosecuted a war against the Dark Elves.
VERB· Over a 45-day stretch beginning last January, only 200 of 7,000 people arrested were prosecuted.· Although suspects in many of the other church fires have been arrested and prosecuted, the Salem arsonists remain at large.
· Officers are now deciding whether to prosecute the makers and retailers.· The division decides which cases to prosecute, plea bargain or drop.· The department said it had not decided where it would prosecute the Unabom case.· More recently, Prueher decided to prosecute Capt.
· The Justice Department had spent tens of millions of dollars to investigate and prosecute.
Shoplifters will be prosecuted.prosecute somebody for (doing) something Buxton is being prosecuted for assault.prosecute somebody under a law/Act etc The company is to be prosecuted under the Health and Safety Act.2[intransitive, transitive] if a lawyer prosecutes a case, he or she tries to prove that the person charged with a crime is guilty: Mrs Lynn Smith, prosecuting, said the offence took place on January 27.3[transitive] formal to continue doing something: We cannot prosecute the investigation further.