procedure
C1formal / neutral
Definition
Meaning
An established or official way of carrying out a task or series of tasks, especially in a formal, professional, or technical context.
Any fixed, step-by-step sequence of activities or conduct; a particular course of action intended to achieve a result, especially in medical, legal, administrative, or technical fields.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies an ordered, systematic approach. It can refer to both the established method and the act of carrying it out.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. In British medical contexts, 'procedure' may slightly more often refer to surgical operations than in American English, where 'surgery' is equally common. In American administrative contexts, 'process' is sometimes used where British English prefers 'procedure'.
Connotations
In both varieties, carries connotations of formality, officialdom, and sometimes bureaucracy. Can imply red tape or necessary order depending on context.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British legal and administrative texts; equally common in technical/scientific contexts in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to follow a procedureto carry out a procedureto go through a procedureto establish a procedureto outline a procedureto deviate from a procedureVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's just standard procedure.”
- “Go by the book (follow procedure).”
- “A matter of procedure.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to official company policies for tasks like hiring, procurement, or reporting.
Academic
Describes the methodology section in research papers; the steps taken in an experiment.
Everyday
Used for formal steps like applying for a passport, making a complaint, or school enrolment.
Technical
Specific, documented steps in computing (a subroutine), engineering, medicine, or laboratory work.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The council will procedure the application next week. (rare/formal)
American English
- (Not standard as a verb; 'process' is used instead.)
adverb
British English
- They acted procedurally correct. (from 'procedurally')
American English
- The department is procedurally sound. (from 'procedurally')
adjective
British English
- The procedural guidelines were clearly outlined. (from 'procedural')
American English
- We need to address both procedural and substantive issues. (from 'procedural')
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please follow the safety procedure.
- What's the procedure for booking a meeting room?
- The laboratory has a strict procedure for handling hazardous materials.
- The committee initiated disciplinary procedures in accordance with the company's charter.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: PROceed + enDURE. To PROceed successfully, you must enDURE the correct PRO-CEDURE.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PROCEDURE IS A PATH/ROUTE (follow a procedure, go through a procedure, step-by-step). A PROCEDURE IS A RECIPE/SCRIPT (ingredients/steps must be followed in order).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'процедура' which has a narrower, often medical/beauty context. English 'procedure' is broader. 'Процесс' (process) or 'порядок действий' are often closer equivalents.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'procedure' for a simple, informal method (e.g., 'my procedure for making coffee' – over-formal). Confusing with 'process' (more continuous/system-wide vs. 'procedure' as a specific set of steps).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'procedure' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'process' is a broader series of actions or natural changes, often continuous. A 'procedure' is a specific, established set of formal steps to complete a task.
It's possible but often sounds overly formal. In informal contexts, 'way of doing things', 'method', or 'steps' are more natural.
It is a countable noun (a procedure, several procedures).
The adjective is 'procedural' (e.g., procedural rules, procedural error).
Collections
Part of a collection
Workplace Vocabulary
B1 · 48 words · Professional language for the working environment.