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proceeding

noun pro·ceed·ing \ prō-ˈsē-diŋ , prə- \
|Updated on: 10 Jun 2018

Definition of proceeding

1 : legal action
  • a divorce proceeding
2 : procedure
3 proceedings plural : events, happenings
4 : transaction
5 proceedings plural : an official record of things said or done

See proceeding defined for English-language learners

See proceeding defined for kids

Examples of proceeding in a Sentence

  1. The secretary kept a record of the proceedings at the meeting.

  2. She started the proceedings with a brief welcoming speech.

  3. The proceedings of the conference will be published.

Recent Examples of proceeding from the Web

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

First Known Use of proceeding

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
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proceeding Synonyms

Synonyms

course, operation, procedure, process;

Related Words

drill, routine;

fashion, form, manner, method, mode, style, system, technique, way;

approach, arrangement, blueprint, design, formula, game plan, ground plan, layout, plan, plot, program, project, recipe, scheme, strategy;

Phrases Related to PROCEEDING

Related Phrases

PROCEEDING Defined for English Language Learners

proceeding

noun

Definition of proceeding for English Language Learners

  • law : the process of appearing before a court of law so a decision can be made about an argument or claim : a legal action

  • proceedings : things that are said or done at a meeting, conference, ceremony, etc.

  • : an official record of the things said or done at a meeting, conference, etc.

Law Dictionary

proceeding

noun pro·ceed·ing

legal Definition of proceeding

1 : a particular step or series of steps in the enforcement, adjudication, or administration of rights, remedies, laws, or regulations: as
a : an action, hearing, trial, or application before the court
— collateral proceeding
: a proceeding that concerns an order, motion, petition, or writ deriving from or sought in relation to another proceeding (as a trial)
  • a collateral proceeding on a motion to have the judge in a pending trial disqualified
; especially : one in which a collateral attack on a judgment is made
  • sought to avoid the effect of the judgment in a collateral proceeding after denial of a direct appeal
— core proceeding
: a proceeding (as one instituted by a debtor against a creditor) that is integral to the administration of a bankruptcy estate and so falls under the jurisdiction of the bankruptcy court
— non-core proceeding
: a proceeding involving a matter that relates to a bankruptcy case but that does not arise under bankruptcy laws, that could be adjudicated in a state court, and over which a bankruptcy court has limited authority
— special proceeding
: a proceeding (as for condemnation or disbarment) that may be commenced independently of a pending action by petition or motion and from which a final order affecting a substantial right may be immediately appealed
  • special proceedings created exclusively by statute where a special procedure is appropriate and warranted
  • —Sosebee v. County Line Sch. Dist., 897 S.W.2d 556 (1995)
— summary proceeding
: a civil or criminal proceeding in the nature of a trial that is conducted without formalities (as indictment, pleadings, and usually a jury) for the speedy and peremptory disposition of a matter
— supplementary proceeding
: a proceeding to discover the assets of a judgment debtor; also : a proceeding that in some way supplements another
b : a hearing conducted by an administrative body
c : a criminal prosecution or investigation
2 plural : an official record of things done or said

Learn More about proceeding

  1. See words that rhyme with proceeding Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for proceeding Spanish Central: Translation of proceeding Nglish: Translation of proceeding for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of proceeding for Arabic speakers

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