procedure
noun
pro·ce·dure
prə-ˈsē-jər 
1
a
: a particular way of accomplishing something or of acting
b
: a step in a procedure
2
a
: a series of steps followed in a regular definite order
legal procedure
a surgical procedure
b
: a set of instructions for a computer that has a name by which it can be called into action
3
a
: a traditional or established way of doing things
Examples of procedure in a Sentence
Installing a car battery is a simple procedure.
What is the procedure for applying for a loan?
New employees are taught the proper safety procedures.
We must follow proper court procedure.
An identity check is standard police procedure.
the procedure for treating a burn
The procedure will take two hours.
Recent Examples on the Web
Before the installation of the secondary cockpit barriers, Southwest Airlines' procedure required a flight attendant to stand and face the cabin while a beverage cart was used to block passengers from approaching the galley.
—
Zach Wichter, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, Shipley said Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and other Republican senators may focus on reforming Senate floor procedures, such as the 30-hour debate requirement for each nominee, rather than attempting to undo the blue slip practice altogether.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2025
In Finland, only about 6% of patients are sedated for the procedure.
—Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Airlines for America, a trade group representing American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and other carriers, asked the agency to delay the compliance by two years because the FAA had yet to certify the barriers, and no manuals, procedures or training programs were authorized.
—Colson Thayer, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for procedure
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Zach Wichter, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, Shipley said Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and other Republican senators may focus on reforming Senate floor procedures, such as the 30-hour debate requirement for each nominee, rather than attempting to undo the blue slip practice altogether.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2025
In Finland, only about 6% of patients are sedated for the procedure.
—Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Airlines for America, a trade group representing American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and other carriers, asked the agency to delay the compliance by two years because the FAA had yet to certify the barriers, and no manuals, procedures or training programs were authorized.
—Colson Thayer, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for procedure
Cite this Entry
“Procedure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/procedure. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
procedure
noun
pro·ce·dure
prə-ˈsē-jər
1
: a manner or method in which a business or action is carried on
2
a
: a series of steps followed in a regular definite order
the procedure for acquiring a passport
b
: a set of instructions for a computer that has a name by which it can be called into action
procedural
adjective
-ˈsēj-(ə-)rəl
Medical Definition
procedure
noun
pro·ce·dure
prə-ˈsē-jər
1
: a particular way of accomplishing something or of acting
2
: a step in a procedure
especially
: a series of steps followed in a regular definite order
a surgical procedure
a therapeutic procedure
Legal Definition
procedure
noun
pro·ce·dure
prə-ˈsē-jər
1
: one or more methods or steps for the enforcement or administration of rights, duties, justice, or laws
civil procedure
police procedure
compare procedural law, substantive law
2
: a particular and especially established way of doing something
a medical procedure
security procedures
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