Main Entry: con·vic·tion Function: noun 1: the act or process of convicting; also: the final judgment entered after a finding of guilt conviction of murder> conviction> —compare ACQUITTAL NOTE: Jurisdictions differ as to what constitutes conviction for various statutes (as habitual offender statutes). Conviction is rarely applied to civil cases. 2:GUILTconviction —W. Railroad LaFave and J. H. Israel>