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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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

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

Cite this Entry

“Procedure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/procedure. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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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