proceed
Americanverb (used without object)
-
proceeds,
present (3rd person singular)
-
proceeded,
past participle, past
-
proceeding
present participle
-
to move or go forward or onward, especially after stopping.
- Antonyms:
- recede
-
to carry on or continue any action or process.
-
to go on to do something.
-
to continue one's discourse.
-
Law.
-
to begin and carry on a legal action.
-
to take legal action (usually followed byagainst ).
-
-
to be carried on, as an action or process.
-
to go or come forth; issue (often followed byfrom ).
- Synonyms:
- emanate
-
to arise, originate, or result (usually followed byfrom ).
noun
-
proceeds,
-
something that results or accrues.
-
the total amount derived from a sale or other transaction.
The proceeds from the deal were divided equally among us.
-
the profits or returns from a sale, investment, etc.
-
-
Archaic. proceeds.
verb
-
(often foll by to) to advance or carry on, esp after stopping
-
(often foll by with) to undertake and continue (something or to do something)
he proceeded with his reading
-
(often foll by against) to institute or carry on a legal action
-
to emerge or originate; arise
evil proceeds from the heart
Synonym Usage
See advance.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
proceedsimple
-
proceedssimple
-
have proceededperfect
-
has proceededperfect
-
am proceedingprogressive
-
are proceedingprogressive
-
is proceedingprogressive
-
have been proceedingperfect progressive
-
has been proceedingperfect progressive
Past
-
proceededsimple
-
had proceededperfect
-
was proceedingprogressive
-
were proceedingprogressive
-
had been proceedingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of proceed
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English procede, from Latin prōcēdere; see pro- 1, cede
Explanation
To proceed means to go or continue forward. But somehow "ready, set, proceed!" doesn't quite have the same ring to it. From the Latin procedere, meaning “go forward, advance,” proceed is a verb that simply means to keep going, particularly after there’s been an interruption. Synonyms include progress and advance. People who constantly interrupt make it really difficult for the conversation to proceed smoothly. And proceed with caution when crossing a busy street, but if the light turns red, you better move it fast!
Vocabulary lists containing proceed
Power Prefix: pro
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Beowulf vocabulary
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
UCPS 6th Grade Roots List #1
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
The agency is expected to proceed with the plan despite receiving tens of thousands of comment letters opposing it, The Wall Street Journal reported in July.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
"However, as the vessel nears completion, we face an inevitable gap in workload while we work with the Scottish government to make the relevant preparations to enable us to proceed with contract negotiations," he said.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
Something appeared to be pushing cosmic expansion to proceed faster over time.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 18, 2026
South Korea's defence ministry said the joint drills would "proceed as previously notified and scheduled" when asked about Trump's post.
From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 2026
His blue bag was slung over his shoulder, honest industry beamed in his eyes, a determination to proceed to Trabb’s with cheerful briskness was indicated in his gait.
From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens
And if the case proceeds, they may have to say so under oath.
From Salon ● Aug. 18, 2026
If you go through with another 1031 exchange and buy a new rental, you can defer this capital gain by reinvesting all proceeds.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 17, 2026
"Nationalising Adele... all of Adele's song proceeds go to a private company which goes to shareholders and her songs are pretty much cultural icons," he said.
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026
Meyers proceeds to tell an astonished Ed that he’s a huge fan of his long-forgotten 1979 poetry collection entitled “Way Past Go,” the postal worker’s fleeting brush with literary success.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
The proceeds, $17.02, were turned over to Mrs. Anderson to be used for anything Marian needed.
From "The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights" by Russell Freedman
Earlier this year, Blue Apron-owner Wonder discussed with Misfits the idea of buying FreshRealm as bankruptcy proceeded, said Ramesh.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
She told BBC NI's Good Morning Ulster programme that officers deployed stinger devices in an attempt to stop the car, but it proceeded to travel in the direction of the motorway.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
Although Perez’s livestream proceeded for around 15 minutes before it was shut down, screenshots and clips rocketed across the internet, invading countless social media feeds.
From Salon ● Aug. 6, 2026
Some observations of the distant Universe suggest that expansion may have proceeded somewhat more slowly in the past than the standard cosmological model predicts.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 2, 2026
The constellations proceeded across the hushed heavens as if tiptoeing past the dreaming mouse on his high branch.
From "Abel's Island" by William Steig
Article 3 courts decide cases and controversies, and a proceeding in which both sides want the same outcome is neither.
From Slate ● Aug. 10, 2026
In that proceeding, Verizon pledged to “further California’s public policy goals of diverse supply chains and workforces, including a $10 million partnership with the California State University system,” the PUC said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2026
"We are proceeding with the conference, but it will take place online," she said.
From Barron's ● Aug. 8, 2026
You think you’re supposed to be doing something, but it’s possible that what you should be doing is just proceeding onward as planned.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 6, 2026
Surprisingly, despite the dead light and everything falling apart, the day in the Glade appeared to be proceeding business as usual—farming, gardening, cleaning.
From "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
