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

Logan Marshall-Green (And Just Like That) will lead the procedural drama alongside Grimes. —EW.com, 17 Aug. 2025

There are several procedural approaches to treat atrial fibrillation, according to the cardiologist. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2025

Noun

Chris Meloni will return to his alma mater, Law & Order: SVU, for the upcoming 27th season of the perennially popular procedural, the actor confirmed in a recent Instagram post. —Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 2 Aug. 2025

Yes, plenty of people catch up with procedurals like Grey’s Anatomy via binges. —Josef Adalian, Vulture, 11 July 2025

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