How to pronounce prosecution
Say it like pros-uh-KYOO-shun. Prosecution has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (KYOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce prosecution. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pros
- uh
- KYOO
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Prosecution pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- prosGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- KYOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of prosecution
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: pros-ih-KYOO-shun.
What does prosecution mean?
- the institution and conduct of legal proceedings against a defendant for criminal behavior
- the lawyers acting for the state to put the case against the defendant
- the continuance of something begun with a view to its completion
Where does prosecution come from?
Equivalent to prosecute + -ion, from Middle French prosecution, from Late Latin prōsecutio, from Latin prōsequor (“follow, pursue”), from pro- (“onward”) + sequor (“follow”) (English sequel).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with prosecution
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of prosecution.
- solution
- distribution
- resolution
- constitution
- revolution
- evolution
- institution
- contribution
- execution
- pollution
Questions about saying prosecution
How do you pronounce prosecution?
Say pros-uh-KYOO-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌprɑsəˈkjuʃən/. In British English it is /ˌprɒsɪˈkjuːʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in prosecution?
Prosecution has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (KYOO). Broken into parts: pros · uh · KYOO · shun.
Is prosecution pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˌprɒsɪˈkjuːʃən/ (pros-ih-KYOO-shun).