procedure

noun

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pro·ce·dure | \ prə-ˈsē-jər

Definition of procedure

1a : a particular way of accomplishing something or of acting

b : a step in a procedure

2a : 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

3a : a traditional or established way of doing things

b : protocol sense 3a

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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 Among other concerns, Ms. Hobbs’s letter contended that stacks of ballots were not properly protected and that there was no apparent procedure for preventing the commingling of tallied and untallied ballots. — New York Times, "Arizona Review of 2020 Vote Is Riddled With Flaws, Says Secretary of State," 6 May 2021 Budget reconciliation is an optional procedure established in the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. — Marie Sapirie, Forbes, "How The Senate’s Rules And Precedents Shape The Tax Law," 6 May 2021 Two Hamilton Township officers have been placed on administrative leave following the shooting, which Hughes said was a standard procedure. — Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, "Man killed by Hamilton Township officers, officials say," 3 May 2021 Why isn't this type of review a standard internal procedure at the MPD when unfavorable incidents occur? — Star Tribune, "Readers Write: Policing, Derek Chauvin, housing, John Kass," 22 Apr. 2021 That means finding a notary public, opponents argue, to sign off on what's an intensely personal procedure. — Kaitlin Lange, The Indianapolis Star, "Indiana lawmakers add step for minors seeking abortion. Some worry it violates privacy.," 14 Apr. 2021 Reconciliation is a budgetary procedure that only requires a simple majority, a handy maneuver amid the Democrats' loose grip on control. — Naomi Lim, Washington Examiner, "Biden confident Republicans will back his budget and infrastructure package," 9 Apr. 2021 Interventional cardiology is a big one, as putting stents in to pry open clogged arteries is a high-dollar procedure. — John Warner, chicagotribune.com, "Opinion: Want to know what ails America? Read ‘Hospital’ by Brian Alexander," 29 Mar. 2021 Dougherty and Herold said that one of the officers who responded to the scene shot Alissa in the leg, and that the officer has been put on administrative leave, which is standard procedure in Boulder. — Washington Post, "At news conference, Boulder officials say they are still looking for a motive in the shooting," 26 Mar. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'procedure.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near procedure

Procaviidae

procedural

procedural due process

Statistics for procedure

Last Updated

11 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Procedure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/procedure. Accessed 14 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for procedure

procedure

noun

English Language Learners Definition of procedure

: a series of actions that are done in a certain way or order : an established or accepted way of doing something

: a medical treatment or operation

See the full definition for procedure in the English Language Learners Dictionary

procedure

noun

pro·ce·dure | \ prə-ˈsē-jər

Kids Definition of procedure

: an action or series of actions for doing or accomplishing something What is the procedure for school enrollment?

procedure

noun

pro·ce·dure | \ prə-ˈsē-jər

Medical Definition of procedure

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

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procedure

noun

pro·ce·dure | \ prə-ˈsē-jər

Legal Definition of procedure

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