WordGarden.ioprocedural
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /prəsˈiːdʒərəl/
US
- /prəˈsidʒərəl/
Meanings
Adjective
relating to an established process, sequence of steps, or official procedure
concerning formal legal or institutional procedure rather than the substance of a case
in computing, based on explicit step-by-step procedures or generated by algorithmic rules
Noun
a film, television series, or novel centered on the step-by-step work of police, lawyers, doctors, or similar professionals
Beyond the definition
Imagine building with LEGO bricks without instructions: chaos. "Procedural" describes something done by following a clear set of steps or rules, like working through those instructions. It is about how something is done, not just what it is. A procedural drama on TV focuses on the steps police detectives follow to solve crimes. You might also hear "procedural generation" in video games, where levels are created automatically by a system that follows rules.
Think of it like a recipe: if you follow the steps (the procedure) correctly, you'll get the desired result. If something is procedural, it's reliable because it follows a defined path.
"Procedural" describes anything that relates to procedures: a series of actions taken in a specific order to achieve a particular result. It emphasizes how things are done rather than simply what is done.
The word often appears in formal contexts like law, government, and computer science. In legal settings, "procedural due process" refers to fair treatment through the judicial system, making sure the proper rules are followed. In computer science, "procedural programming" involves breaking down a task into smaller steps, or procedures, that the computer can carry out in order.
But it's not limited to technical fields! A hospital has procedural guidelines for treating patients, and a school has procedures for handling disciplinary issues. Even everyday life is full of procedures: tying your shoes, making coffee, or following directions.
Sometimes "procedural" implies a lack of creativity or flexibility – things are done by the book. However, it also suggests reliability and consistency. A well-defined procedure can help ensure accuracy and efficiency.
So, whether you're talking about legal rights, computer code, or daily routines, "procedural" highlights the importance of a systematic approach—a defined set of steps to get things done correctly.
Examples
- 1
Process error
The delay was caused by a procedural mistake, not by a problem with the application itself.
- 2
Committee decision
The committee rejected the proposal on procedural grounds.
- Phraseon procedural grounds
because of rules about how something must be done
- 3
Legal process
The judge said the company had followed the correct procedural steps before firing the employee.
- 4
Court objection
In court, the lawyer raised a procedural objection before the witness could answer.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Game design
Many modern games use procedural generation to create new maps each time you play.
- Domainprocedural generation
automatic creation by rules or code
- 6
Crime TV
The show is a police procedural, with detectives solving a new case each week.
- Phrasepolice procedural
a crime story focused on police work and investigation
See also
Similar
- methodological
- process-based
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- substantive
- ad hoc
Used with (collocations)
- procedural rules
- procedural requirements
- procedural fairness
- procedural error
Word family
Explore
- due process
- workflow
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- proceduraladjective