procedural

1 of 2

adjective

pro·​ce·​dur·​al prə-ˈsē-jə-rəl 

-ˈsēj-rəl

: of or relating to procedure

especially : of or relating to the procedure used by courts or other bodies administering substantive law

procedurally adverb

procedural

2 of 2

noun

: a realist crime novel, film, or television drama with a specific focus

a courtroom procedural

especially : police procedural

Examples of procedural in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Whatever procedural checks and balances surround euthanasia in the Netherlands, the system necessarily relies on an individual physician’s judgment as the ultimate safeguard. —Charles Lane, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2026

Apparently having at least one procedural on his schedule since Firefly’s cancellation isn’t enough for the guy. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 15 Mar. 2026

Noun

Written by Beth Rinehart, the procedural is based on former New York City death investigator Barbara Butcher’s memoir of the same name. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2026

Their expertise spans kids, animation, comedy, unscripted, prestige dramas, CBS procedurals and lots of sports. —Lucas Shaw, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1876, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1963, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing procedural

• police procedural
• procedural due process
• procedural face mask
• procedural mask

Medical Definition

procedural

adjective

pro·​ce·​dur·​al prə-ˈsēj-(ə-)rəl 

: relating to or comprising memory or knowledge concerned with how to manipulate symbols, concepts, and rules to accomplish a task or solve a problem compare declarative

Legal Definition

procedural

adjective

pro·​ce·​dur·​al prə-ˈsē-jə-rəl 

: of or relating to procedure

sentence reversed as result of procedural error in sentencing

—National Law Journal

compare substantive

procedurally adverb