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Synonyms

police procedural

American  

noun

  1. a mystery novel, film, or television drama that deals realistically with police work.


police procedural British  

noun

  1. a novel, film, or television drama that deals realistically with police work

"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

Etymology

Origin of police procedural

First recorded in 1965–70

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 police procedural about Dutton family son Kayce Dutton, a character who now works as an investigator, “Marshals” premiered on CBS in March, having been produced by Sheridan but written by someone else.

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

Their styles prove surprisingly complementary in this thoughtful and character-rich police procedural.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025

Visually, there is little to no difference between one multi-camera sitcom and the next, one single-camera mockumentary sitcom and the next, one single-camera non-mockumentary and the next, one CBS police procedural and the next.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 3, 2025

Her latest role is in the comedic police procedural “Good Cop/Bad Cop,” which starts streaming on Amazon Prime this month.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2025

This military police procedural drama, still going strong after a staggering 21 seasons, has never been a favorite of critics.

From New York Times • May 28, 2024

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