Procedure
prəˈsiːdʒər
Definitions
2 meaningsAn established or official way of doing something.
prəˈsiːdʒər
A series of actions conducted in a certain order or manner.
The company has a strict procedure for approving expenses.
💡 Simply: It's like a set of instructions or a plan for doing something. Like, if you're baking a cake, the procedure is the steps you follow from mixing the ingredients to putting it in the oven.
👶 For kids: A procedure is like a set of rules or steps you need to follow to do something.
More Examples
The procedure for applying for a passport is available online.
The doctor explained the procedure to me before the operation.
How It's Used
"The surgical procedure went smoothly."
"The legal procedure for filing a lawsuit is complex."
"We need to establish a clear procedure for handling customer complaints."
A medical operation or treatment performed on a person.
prəˈsiːdʒər
A specific medical operation or treatment.
The medical procedure was successful in treating the patient's condition.
💡 Simply: When a doctor does something to help a patient, like a surgery or a test, that's a medical procedure.
👶 For kids: If you're sick and the doctor has to do something to make you better, like a shot or an operation, that's a medical procedure.
More Examples
The doctor explained the risks and benefits of the procedure.
The patient will need to recover after the procedure.
How It's Used
"The patient underwent a minor surgical procedure."
Idioms & expressions
standard procedure
The usual or established way of doing something.
"It's standard procedure to check IDs at the door."
operating procedure
A detailed set of instructions for carrying out a particular operation or task.
"The company has strict operating procedures to ensure safety."
From French *procédure*, from Late Latin *procedere* ('to proceed').
The word *procedure* has been used since the 17th century, initially in legal and administrative contexts, and later expanded to broader applications.
Memory tip
Think of a recipe. A procedure is like a set of steps to follow.