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Synonyms

proceeding

American  
[pruh-see-ding] / prəˈsi dɪŋ /

noun

  1. a particular action or course or manner of action.

  2. proceedings, a series of activities or events; happenings.

  3. the act of a person or thing that proceeds.

    Our proceeding down the mountain was hindered by mud slides.

  4. proceedings, a record of the doings or transactions of a fraternal, academic, etc., society.

  5. Law. proceedings,

    1. the instituting or carrying on of an action at law.

    2. a legal step or measure.

      to institute proceedings against a person.


proceeding British  
/ prəˈsiːdɪŋ /

noun

  1. an act or course of action

    1. the institution of a legal action

    2. any step taken in a legal action

  2. (plural) the minutes of the meetings of a club, society, etc

  3. (plural) legal action; litigation

  4. (plural) the events of an occasion, meeting, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What are other ways to say proceeding?

The noun proceeding refers to a particular course or manner of action. The plural proceedings refers to a series of activities or events, or to a record of the doings or transactions of a social club or academic society. Do you know when to use proceedings instead of procedure or process? Find out on Thesaurus.com. 

Etymology

Origin of proceeding

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; proceed, -ing 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“A prompt reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remains questionable as will the volume of tanker traffic capable of proceeding through the strait in the coming weeks.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

His now manager Alvaro Arbeloa spoke about how Madrid were going to be "proceeding cautiously and calmly" with Alexander-Arnold after his injury issues.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

The company imploded after a dispute with bank partners revealed a massive shortfall in customer funds and a failure to keep accurate ledgers, according to court filings in Synapse’s bankruptcy proceeding.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026

According to court records, including testimony by Kerr in the AllHere bankruptcy proceeding, Kerr worked to help secure the contract between the firm and Los Angeles Unified.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

When we were brought up upon the deck, we saw in ruddy first light the motion of countless launches all around us proceeding to the shore of the island.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson