Definition

1. Verb:
   • To continue or carry on with an action or process: To move forward or advance, especially after a pause or interruption.
   • To follow a particular course of action or procedure: To undertake a series of steps or a specific method.
   • To originate or come from a source: To have something as a starting point or origin.
   • To go forward or onward in space or time: To move ahead in a physical journey or in a sequence of events.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • Please proceed with your presentation. (Please continue with your presentation.)
  • The investigation will proceed according to the established protocol. (The investigation will follow the established protocol.)
  • The noise seemed to proceed from the basement. (The noise seemed to come from the basement.)
  • We proceeded along the path until we reached the river. (We moved forward along the path until we reached the river.)

Advanced Usage

• "To proceed against (someone)": To start legal action against a person or entity.

  • The company decided to proceed against the contractor for breach of agreement. (The company decided to take legal action against the contractor for breach of agreement.)

• "To proceed to (do something)": To go on to do the next thing, often something more advanced or formal.

  • After the appetizer, we proceeded to the main course. (After the appetizer, we moved on to the main course.)
  • He completed his undergraduate degree and then proceeded to earn a PhD. (He completed his undergraduate degree and then went on to earn a PhD.)

Variants and Related Words

• Proceeding (noun): An event or a series of activities, often formal or legal.

  • The legal proceedings were lengthy. (The legal activities were lengthy.)

• Proceeds (noun, plural): The money or profit obtained from an event or sale.

  • The proceeds from the charity auction will fund the new library. (The money from the charity auction will fund the new library.)

Synonyms

• Continue: To keep doing something without stopping.
• Advance: To move forward in a purposeful way.
• Follow: To come after or act in accordance with.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Proceed with: To continue doing something.
  • We cannot proceed with the plan without approval. (We cannot continue with the plan without approval.)

Related Idioms

• Proceed with caution: To move forward carefully, being aware of potential risks.
  • The road is icy, so proceed with caution. (The road is icy, so move forward carefully.)

Verb

1. continue a certain state, condition, or activity
   • Keep on working!
   • We continued to work into the night
   • Keep smiling
   • We went on working until well past midnight
2. follow a certain course
   • The inauguration went well
   • how did your interview go?
3. follow a procedure or take a course
   • We should go farther in this matter
   • She went through a lot of trouble
   • go about the world in a certain manner
   • Messages must go through diplomatic channels
4. move ahead; travel onward in time or space
   • We proceeded towards Washington
   • She continued in the direction of the hills
   • We are moving ahead in time now
5. continue talking
   • I know it's hard, he continued, but there is no choice
   • carry on--pretend we are not in the room