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
For more severe cases, Orlando says procedures such as rubber band ligation (placing a small band around the base of an internal hemorrhoid to cut off its blood supply) and sclerotherapy (an injection that shrinks the hemorrhoid), may be recommended.
—
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
The hospital confirmed to PEOPLE in an email that Bacon underwent the procedure on July 16 of this year.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Similarly in Georgia in 2018, a federal judge ordered the state to change its procedure flagging potential non-citizens.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 21 Oct. 2025
In the future, these shape-shifting systems could be used in medicine to deliver drugs, remove toxins, or perform tiny surgical procedures inside the body.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for procedure
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show current usage.
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Daryl Austin, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
The hospital confirmed to PEOPLE in an email that Bacon underwent the procedure on July 16 of this year.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Similarly in Georgia in 2018, a federal judge ordered the state to change its procedure flagging potential non-citizens.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 21 Oct. 2025
In the future, these shape-shifting systems could be used in medicine to deliver drugs, remove toxins, or perform tiny surgical procedures inside the body.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for procedure
Cite this Entry
“Procedure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/procedure. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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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