procedure
noun
pro·ce·dure
prə-ˈsē-jər 
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
Harris’ subsequent statement on Fox — that federal law requires medical gender-affirming procedures be made available to those who need them — is one shared by ACLU attorney Chase Strangio, who told Them in September that denying such care to prisoners violates the Constitution.
—
Samantha Riedel, Them, 18 Oct. 2024
This procedure is a major surgery, and recovery can take several weeks.
—Suchandrima Bhowmik, Health, 17 Oct. 2024
Instead of surgery, the size of the stent can be adjusted with a minimally invasive procedure through a blood vessel in the groin.
—Jessica Herzberg, NBC News, 17 Oct. 2024
The bank, workers said, had shifted some of the conduct management department’s responsibilities to employees based in India and changed policies and procedures in a manner that reduced the type and number of complaints the department investigated.
—Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for procedure 
Samantha Riedel, Them, 18 Oct. 2024
This procedure is a major surgery, and recovery can take several weeks.
—Suchandrima Bhowmik, Health, 17 Oct. 2024
Instead of surgery, the size of the stent can be adjusted with a minimally invasive procedure through a blood vessel in the groin.
—Jessica Herzberg, NBC News, 17 Oct. 2024
The bank, workers said, had shifted some of the conduct management department’s responsibilities to employees based in India and changed policies and procedures in a manner that reduced the type and number of complaints the department investigated.
—Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for procedure
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.
Dictionary Entries Near procedure
Cite this Entry
“Procedure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/procedure. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
procedure
noun
pro·ce·dure
prə-ˈsē-jər
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
adjective
-ˈsēj-(ə-)rəl
Medical Definition
procedure
noun
pro·ce·dure
prə-ˈsē-jər
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
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
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