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

• nonprocedural adjective
• procedurally adverb

Etymology

Origin of procedural

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

Example Sentences

The office charged with contacting Interpol didn’t follow through because of a procedural issue.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Lin also cited other "serious procedural problems with the government's actions" as reasons for issuing the injunction.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

“We have a character-driven procedural which, when we started, this kind of a show was not really a thing,” says Sean Murray, who has played special agent Timothy McGee since the first season.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

He was convicted in 2018 and servedthree years of a 10-year-sentence before his conviction was overturned on procedural grounds.

From Salon • Mar. 23, 2026

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

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