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

Those prone to hyperbole might be tempted to call this presidential tantrum disguised in procedural clothes a constitutional crisis. — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

The procedural vote failed 49-50, falling well short of the 60 votes required. — Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026

Noun

That approach forced Blake to abandon the sensibility that had characterized her work in television procedurals, where a lot of time is typically spent on the villains. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026

Several procedurals — like Cagney & Lacey, which was canceled and subsequently revived thanks to high-performing reruns — have been removed from lineups only to return months later. — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 30 Aug. 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