procedural

American  

[pruh-see-jer-uhl] / prəˈsi dʒər əl /

adjective

1. of or relating to a procedure or procedures, especially of a court of law, legislative body, or law enforcement agency.

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noun

1. police procedural.

Usage

What does procedural mean? Procedural is used to describe things that involve a specific procedure—a particular way of doing something, especially one that is usually repeated in the same way each time. The word procedural is especially used in the context of formal, official procedures, such as those used in government and law. A procedural vote is typically one that is simply part of the process to move forward to a full and final vote on a matter. A procedural agreement is a kind of contract that governs how a collective bargaining process will be carried out. Procedural can also be used as a noun to refer to a procedural drama—work of fiction, especially a TV show, that realistically portrays a kind of professional work. A common type of procedural is a police procedural. The popular show Law & Order is a procedural. Example: This meeting is solely to deal with procedural matters—the debate on the actual issues will come later.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• procedurally
  adverb
• nonprocedural
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of procedural

First recorded in 1885–90; procedure + -al ¹

Explanation

If you have to follow so many rules at work that it seems like nothing ever gets done, you could say that the procedural requirements of your job are getting you down. The adjective procedural describes something related to a required or standard course of action. Legal types are probably already familiar with the word procedural, which is often used to describe matters related to the law. The Senate, for example, may cite procedural roadblocks as the reason why nothing has been accomplish in a session. So that would give the Senate something in common with your workplace: having too many rules to follow — "procedural overload" — makes things take a long time.

Example Sentences

“However legal papers are prepared, and however legal technology develops, the court’s procedural and ethical rules apply with equal force,” the three-judge panel wrote.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

With a settlement in place, Williams seemed to lose control over the legal dispute—until this week, when she used the clever procedural maneuver to reopen the case.

From Slate • Jun. 4, 2026

JD.com said that it viewed the in-depth probe as a normal procedural step in the commission’s review.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

Senate leaders had already concluded that the ballroom funding would have to be dropped from the text because of insufficient support and procedural obstacles.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

It’s serious procedural stuff, moving sick people across town.

From "The Miseducation of Cameron Post" by emily m. danforth