processed

adjective

pro·​cessed ˈprä-ˌsest 

ˈprō-,

-səst

: having been subjected to a special process or treatment (as in the course of manufacture)

Just as processed food has been robbed of its nutrients, processed hair has been robbed of much of its health.

—Essence

The mythical fountain of youth now is filled with white tea. The pale, minimally processed Chinese tea is being pitched as the next great thing for drinking and as a cosmetics ingredient.

—The Grand Rapids (Michigan) Press

The main dietary sources of sodium are common salt used in cooking and for seasoning and especially the increased amount of sodium compounds used in processed foods.

—Sue Rodwell Williams

Examples of processed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Last month, a committee issued its proposal, recommending that people eat more beans, peas and lentils as protein sources and decrease the consumption of processed and red meat. —Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 26 Jan. 2025

Among the others: Maintaining a healthy body weight; not consuming alcohol or consuming in moderation; eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, and low in red and processed meat; physical activity; and regular cancer screenings. —Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025

On the other hand, higher consumption of trans fats, sodium, sugary beverages, and red or processed meats was associated with lower odds of healthy aging. —Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2025

China accounts for about 60% of global mine production and 90% of processed and permanent magnet output. —Jason Neely and Eric Onstad, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025

The link between red and processed meat and colorectal cancer has been a growing area of research for years. —Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024

Meat: Consumption of red and processed meats is minimal. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 6 Jan. 2025

Eat more beans, lentils, and peas, but cut back on red and processed meats—these are the recommendations made by an advisory committee for the U.S. Dietary Guidelines.1 The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which provide national nutrition recommendations, are set to be updated next year. —Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 21 Dec. 2024

Eat more beans, peas and lentils as protein sources and decrease consumption of processed and red meat — those changes are among the recommendations detailed in a new report suggesting potential updates to U.S. dietary guidelines. —Randi Richardson, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing processed

• processed cheese
• ultra-processed

Rhymes for processed

• reprocessed