standard operating procedure

noun

: established or prescribed methods to be followed routinely for the performance of designated operations or in designated situations

called also standing operating procedure

Examples of standard operating procedure in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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But the agency did recommend the department to establish a standard operating procedure outlining annual evaluations of apparatus operators and establish training on situational awareness. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Jan. 2026 Horan explains that asking someone if a person is a risk to themselves or others is standard operating procedure when filing a missing person’s report. Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 22 Dec. 2025 Name, Image and Likeness is the new standard operating procedure in the sports realm across all levels. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 18 Dec. 2025 That’s pretty much standard operating procedure from 20 or 30 years ago. Kristina Berdynskykh, The Atlantic, 3 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for standard operating procedure

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of standard operating procedure was in 1939

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Cite this Entry

“Standard operating procedure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standard%20operating%20procedure. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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