procedural

1 of 2

adjective

pro·​ce·​dur·​al prə-ˈsē-jə-rəl How to pronounce procedural (audio)
-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
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Adjective
Scalise, from Louisiana, switched his vote in a procedural move so that leadership can bring up the measure again. — Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 30 June 2026 The trial was delayed for several years by legal wrangling over various procedural issues. — Reuters, NBC news, 2 July 2026
Noun
While parts of the procedural are indeed filmed in Wahlberg's hometown, it's largely filmed in Toronto. — Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026 Denning had quite a career before joining the procedural, with film credits dating back to the 1930s. — Louis Peitzman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for procedural

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1876, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1963, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of procedural was in 1876

Phrases Containing procedural

Browse Nearby Words

Procaviidae
procedural
procedural due process
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Procedural.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/procedural. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

procedural

adjective
pro·​ce·​dur·​al prə-ˈsēj-(ə-)rəl How to pronounce procedural (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce procedural (audio)
: of or relating to procedure
sentence reversed as result of procedural error in sentencing—National Law Journal
compare substantive
procedurally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on procedural

Nglish: Translation of procedural for Spanish Speakers

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