What does procedure mean?
Procedure means a planned sequence of steps used to accomplish a particular task or reach a result. It is especially common in institutional, medical, legal, scientific, and workplace contexts, where established procedures help people act consistently, safely, and efficiently. In medicine, the word can mean an operation or other clinical intervention; in administration, it can refer to the formal method used to handle a task or decision. The related verb, “to procedure,” is less common and means to carry out such a procedure. Although procedure and process are related, procedure more strongly suggests a definite or prescribed sequence, while process can refer to a broader, often ongoing series of actions. The word is also useful in discussions of workplace safety, quality control, and institutional accountability, where having a clear procedure can prevent confusion and make decisions more reliable.
A prescribed or established sequence of steps for accomplishing a task or achieving a result; in medicine, a clinical operation or intervention.
"The committee developed a procedure for reviewing applications."
Common in formal, administrative, technical, and medical contexts.
To carry out a procedure on someone or something, especially a medical or technical procedure.
"The technician procedured the sample according to the laboratory instructions."
This use is relatively uncommon in general English and is most often found in technical or medical contexts.
The plural is standard when referring to multiple established methods, operations, or sets of steps.
"The hospital revised its emergency procedures last year."
Procedure literally means “stepping forward”: it comes from Latin procedere, “to go forward,” and has been guiding people through prescribed steps ever since.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of procedure
The word entered English in the early 17th century from French procédure, which was derived from Latin procedere, “to go forward.” Its components combine pro-, meaning “forward,” with cedere, meaning “to go.” Related English words include proceed and process, which reflect the same Latin origin and the idea of moving onward.
Related word forms
How procedure is actually used
As a noun, procedure is neutral but often sounds formal, administrative, or technical. It is especially common in medical, legal, institutional, and workplace settings. As a verb, it is relatively uncommon and usually means to carry out a defined procedure on someone or something.
Easily confused with procedure
A procedure usually emphasizes a prescribed or conventional sequence of steps, while a process can refer more broadly to an ongoing series of actions or changes.
A procedure describes how something is done, whereas a protocol often consists of rules, agreements, or accepted procedures governing conduct.