WordGarden.ioprocedurally
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /prəsˈiːdʒərəli/
US
- /prəˈsidʒərəli/
Meanings
Adverb
in a way that follows an established process or sequence of steps
with respect to formal legal or institutional procedure rather than substance
in computing, by using explicit routines or algorithmic generation rules
Beyond the definition
Imagine building with LEGO bricks. You do not just dump the bricks out and hope for a castle; you follow instructions, one step at a time. That is what "procedurally" means: done through an ordered series of steps. It describes how something is carried out by following a set process or rules. A chef might make a complex dish this way, following a recipe closely. A computer program might also create landscapes this way, using rules and algorithms to make each one different. It is about how something is done, not just that it gets done.
"Procedurally" describes something that is done in a specific, step-by-step way, following a defined process or set of rules. It emphasizes the method and the order of actions rather than only the final result. Think of it like a recipe: you do not just throw ingredients together; you follow the instructions in order to get the dish you want.
The word is often used in contexts where precision and consistency matter, such as legal settings, scientific work, or computer programming. A court might handle a case procedurally by following the required legal steps. A researcher might carry out an experiment procedurally so that the work can be repeated and checked. In computing, a game world might be generated procedurally, meaning it is created by rules and code instead of being built by hand piece by piece. In all of these cases, following a procedure helps support fairness, accuracy, and repeatability.
However, "procedurally" is not limited to formal settings. You might say someone acted procedurally in an emergency if they followed the correct steps instead of reacting at random. You could also describe a difficult task as being handled procedurally when it is broken into smaller, manageable stages.
Increasingly, the term is used in creative fields like game development and art. "Procedural generation" refers to algorithms that create content—landscapes, music, stories—automatically, following predefined rules. This allows for vast and varied experiences without requiring the manual creation of every detail.
So, whether it is a legal process, a scientific method, or an artistic algorithm, "procedurally" means doing something in a systematic, rule-based way by moving through a clear sequence of steps.
Examples
- 1
Administrative process
The request was handled procedurally, with every form checked before a decision was made.
- 2
Voting rules
The vote was procedurally valid, even though many people disagreed with the result.
- 3
Legal fairness
The judge said the hearing was procedurally unfair because one side was not allowed to respond.
- Phraseprocedurally unfair
unfair because of how the process was run
- 4
Policy rules
The policy may be unpopular, but procedurally it followed the rules.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Game design
In the game, the caves are generated procedurally, so each map is different.
- Domaingenerated procedurally
created by computer rules instead of designed one by one
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- substantively
- informally
Used with (collocations)
- procedurally correct
- procedurally fair
- procedurally improper
Word family
Explore
- due process
- protocol
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- procedurallyadverb