procedure

noun

pro·​ce·​dure prə-ˈsē-jər How to pronounce procedure (audio)
1
a
: a particular way of accomplishing something or of acting
b
: a step in a procedure
2
a
: a series of steps followed in a regular definite order
legal procedure
a surgical procedure
b
: a set of instructions for a computer that has a name by which it can be called into action
3
a
: a traditional or established way of doing things

Examples of procedure in a Sentence

Installing a car battery is a simple procedure. What is the procedure for applying for a loan? New employees are taught the proper safety procedures. We must follow proper court procedure. An identity check is standard police procedure. the procedure for treating a burn The procedure will take two hours.
Recent Examples on the Web Richardson will undergo the procedure on Wednesday morning to repair his right shoulder, which was dislocated during the second quarter of the Feb. 11 game against Boston. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024 Kate has only been spotted once since the procedure — riding in a car with her mother, Carole Middleton, on March 4. Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 The national group leading the GOP’s efforts to flip the U.S. Senate next year is urging its candidates to support the procedure. Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 At first, the statement seemed vague yet straightforward: Kate Middleton was recovering from a serious procedure for the next two months, but would return to work in April. Elise Taylor, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2024 Unsurprisingly, then, MD Anderson recommended the same kind of procedure. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2024 The memo takes aim at a pair of resolutions House GOP lawmakers introduced last week expressing support for continued access to IVF and new protections for the procedure. USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024 The procedure can be performed by a doctor in an office, hospital or clinic. Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Mar. 2024 House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, a Springfield Democrat, is embarking on a campaign for governor focused in large part on overturning the near-total ban in Missouri, which had for years whittled away at access to the procedure even before the ban went into effect in 2022. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'procedure.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French procédure, from Middle French, from proceder

First Known Use

circa 1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of procedure was circa 1577

Dictionary Entries Near procedure

Cite this Entry

“Procedure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/procedure. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

procedure

noun
pro·​ce·​dure prə-ˈsē-jər How to pronounce procedure (audio)
1
: a manner or method in which a business or action is carried on
2
a
: a series of steps followed in a regular definite order
the procedure for acquiring a passport
b
: a set of instructions for a computer that has a name by which it can be called into action
procedural
-ˈsēj-(ə-)rəl
adjective

Medical Definition

procedure

noun
pro·​ce·​dure prə-ˈsē-jər How to pronounce procedure (audio)
1
: a particular way of accomplishing something or of acting
2
: a step in a procedure
especially : a series of steps followed in a regular definite order
a surgical procedure
a therapeutic procedure

Legal Definition

procedure

noun
pro·​ce·​dure prə-ˈsē-jər How to pronounce procedure (audio)
1
: one or more methods or steps for the enforcement or administration of rights, duties, justice, or laws
civil procedure
police procedure
compare procedural law, substantive law
2
: a particular and especially established way of doing something
a medical procedure
security procedures

More from Merriam-Webster on procedure

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