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

Its real interest, though, seems to lie beyond both DC Universe lore and the procedural tropes of the rural murder investigations that occupy most of its runtime. — Judy Berman, Time, 14 Aug. 2026

Some of the differences between Republicans and Democrats are merely procedural. — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026

Noun

Hailing from Fox Entertainment Studios, Sherlock’s Secretary gives USA/Versant a fresh procedural built around one of the world’s most recognizable literary brands. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026

Yet the procedural is so formulaic and the twists so unbelievable that even the most lackadaisical viewer will likely solve the mysteries long before the truth is revealed. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 7 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