From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishpersecutionper‧se‧cu‧tion /ˌpɜːsɪˈkjuːʃən $ ˌpɜːr-/ ●○○ noun [countable, uncountable] cruel or unfair treatment of someone over a period of time, especially because of their religious or political beliefs the persecution of writers who criticize the government They are refugees who are fleeing religious persecution.
