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

But in their first opportunity to impeach the defense secretary on Tuesday, 11 Democrats missed a key procedural vote -- and Hegseth was spared, at least for now. — Mariana Alfaro, Arkansas Online, 13 Nov. 2026

From here, the film shifts into predominantly procedural mode. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 Nov. 2026

Noun

Skydance plans to spend $30 billion annually across its content portfolio — that includes everything from prestige TV HBO projects to CBS procedurals and MTV reality shows as well as NFL sports rights and features at Warners and Paramount. — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2026

After the 14-year-old actor, who plays Morgan’s (Olson) son Elliot on the ABC crime procedural, announced this week in a heartfelt statement that his mother Meredith died, his co-stars paid their respects in the comments section. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 24 Oct. 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