procedural

1 of 2

adjective

pro·​ce·​dur·​al prə-ˈsē-jə-rəl 

-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

Adjective

The Bears’ special teams unit had 11 penalties in the first eight games, several procedural on the new kickoff, but only five in the final nine games. —Kevin Fishbain, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025

An administration in the future could resurrect the rule and avoid some of the procedural hurdles. —Jen Christensen, CNN, 24 Jan. 2025

Noun

There really is something special about a CBS procedural. —H. Alan Scott, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025

There have been many screen iterations of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, but this might be the first twist as a medical procedural. —Shivani Gonzalez, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1876, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1963, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing procedural

• police procedural
• procedural due process
• procedural face mask
• procedural mask

Medical Definition

procedural

adjective

pro·​ce·​dur·​al prə-ˈsēj-(ə-)rəl 

: 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 

: of or relating to procedure

sentence reversed as result of procedural error in sentencing

—National Law Journal

compare substantive

procedurally adverb