process

1. transitive verb

2. 1a :  to proceed against by law :  prosecuteb (1) :  to take out a summons against (2) :  to serve a summons on

3. 2a :  to subject to a special process or treatment (as in the course of manufacture or film development)b (1) :  to subject to or handle through an established usually routine set of procedures process insurance claims (2) :  to integrate sensory information received so that an action or response is generated the brain processes visual images relayed from the retina (3) :  to subject to examination or analysis computers process datac :  to work (hair) into a conk

1. 1 :  treated or made by a special process especially when involving synthesis or artificial modification

2. 2 :  made by or used in a mechanical or photomechanical duplicating process

3. 3 :  of or involving illusory effects usually introduced during processing of the film

chiefly British

1. intransitive verb

2. :  to move in a procession

1. 1 :  a series of actions, motions, or operations leading to some result the manufacturing process

2. 2 :  a series of changes that occur naturally the growth process

1. 1 :  to change by a special treatment The fruit is picked and processed for shipment.

2. 2 :  to take care of according to a routine His job is to process insurance claims.

3. 3 :  to take in and organize for use Computers process data.

1. 1a:  a natural progressively continuing operation or development marked by a series of gradual changes that succeed one another in a relatively fixed way and lead toward a particular result or end the process of growth the process of digestionb:  a natural continuing activity or function such life processes as breathing and the circulation of the blood

2. 2:  a prominent or projecting part of an organism or organic structure a bone process a nerve cell process

1. 1 :  a continuous operation, art, or method especially in manufacture whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process…may obtain a patent therefor — U.S. Code

2. 2a :  procedure 1 — see also abuse of process, due process b :  a means (as a summons) used to compel a defendant to appear in court; broadly :  a means by which a court acquires or exercises jurisdiction over a person or property — see also mesne process — compare notice, service