procedural

1 of 2

adjective

pro·​ce·​dur·​al prə-ˈsē-jə-rəl 

-ˈsēj-rəl

: of or relating to procedure

especially : of or relating to the procedure used by courts or other bodies administering substantive law

procedurally adverb

procedural

2 of 2

noun

: a realist crime novel, film, or television drama with a specific focus

a courtroom procedural

especially : police procedural

Examples of procedural in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Lawmakers voted 99-0 to end debate on the measure, clearing a key procedural hurdle. —Kiara Moore, The Washington Examiner, 13 May 2026

Gridlock expected, didn’t materialize Democrats were expected to bring the Senate to a halt in retaliation for controversial procedural motions Republicans used last year to ram through a bill gerrymandering Kansas City. —Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026

Noun

In its second season, The Pitt remains a rock-solid procedural, with Noah Wyle continuing to hold down the show’s earnest, intense, hardworking team of doctors and nurses. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 May 2026

While parts of the procedural are indeed filmed in Wahlberg's hometown, it's largely filmed in Toronto. —Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1876, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1963, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing procedural

• police procedural
• procedural due process
• procedural face mask
• procedural mask

Medical Definition

procedural

adjective

pro·​ce·​dur·​al prə-ˈsēj-(ə-)rəl 

: relating to or comprising memory or knowledge concerned with how to manipulate symbols, concepts, and rules to accomplish a task or solve a problem compare declarative

Legal Definition

procedural

adjective

pro·​ce·​dur·​al prə-ˈsē-jə-rəl 

: of or relating to procedure

sentence reversed as result of procedural error in sentencing

—National Law Journal

compare substantive

procedurally adverb