Definition

1. Noun:
   • A particular course of action intended to achieve a result: A formal or established way of doing something, often involving a series of steps.
   • A mode of conducting legal, parliamentary, or other official proceedings: The established order or method for carrying out business in a formal setting.
   • A set sequence of steps, part of a larger computer program: A subroutine or function that performs a specific task.
   • A process or series of acts, especially of a practical or mechanical nature, involved in a particular form of work: The specific actions required to complete a technical or operational task.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The procedure for applying for a visa is clearly outlined on the website.
  • The company has strict safety procedures that all employees must follow.
  • The parliamentary procedure was followed to ensure a fair debate.
  • This software bug can be fixed by calling a specific procedure within the code.

Advanced Usage

• "Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)": A set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out complex routine operations.
  • All laboratory work must be done according to the Standard Operating Procedures.
• "Due procedure": The correct, complete, and fair following of all established rules and processes, especially in law.
  • The court ensured that due procedure was followed throughout the trial.

Variants and Related Words

• Procedural (adj): Relating to an established or official way of doing something.
  • The judge made a ruling on a procedural matter before the trial began.
• Procedurally (adv): In a way that relates to procedure.
  • The application was handled procedurally correctly.

Synonyms

• Process: A series of actions or steps taken to achieve a particular end.
• Method: A particular form of procedure for accomplishing or approaching something.
• Protocol: The official procedure or system of rules governing affairs of state or diplomatic occasions; or a set of rules in computing.

Related Phrases

• Follow procedure: To act according to the established steps.
  • It is crucial to follow procedure in case of a fire alarm.
• Bypass procedure: To avoid or circumvent the usual steps.
  • In an emergency, we may need to bypass the normal procedure.

Related Idioms

• "It's just procedure": A phrase used to indicate that an action is a routine formality, not a personal judgment or special event.
  • Don't worry about the security check; it's just procedure.

Noun

1. a mode of conducting legal and parliamentary proceedings
2. a set sequence of steps, part of larger computer program
3. a process or series of acts especially of a practical or mechanical nature involved in a particular form of work
   • the operations in building a house
   • certain machine tool operations
4. a particular course of action intended to achieve a result
   • the procedure of obtaining a driver's license
   • it was a process of trial and error