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.

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proceeding British  

/ prəˈsiːdɪŋ /

noun

1. an act or course of action

2. 1. the institution of a legal action

   2. any step taken in a legal action

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

4. (plural) legal action; litigation

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

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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; see origin at proceed, -ing ¹

Explanation

The noun proceeding (often pluralized as proceedings) is used in legal settings to show something is happening, or moving forward: "During the legal proceedings the judge declared him mentally unbalanced." Most of the time, the noun proceeding is used in law to show that a sequence of actions have taken place, leading up to judgment day in court. If you move forward with legal proceedings, you might start by filing a lawsuit or a claim against someone. Outside of the law, the noun is also used to show the steps taken, that there is involvement with a process or venture, or that progress is being made: "He took the necessary proceedings to make sure everything was okay."

Example Sentences

“After some delays at the beginning, now we keep rolling, and we are proceeding full steam,” he added.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

Although the district attorney has admitted that the charge “is extremely problematic from both a factual and a legal basis,” the case is still proceeding.

From Slate • May 5, 2026

Participants started on Prince of Wales Avenue, and are proceeding down the hill, on to the Upper Newtownards Road.

From BBC • May 3, 2026

Investigative grand juries cannot return indictments against defendants, but they are often used to enshrine evidence and subpoena witnesses for a future criminal proceeding.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

Only in a very few places, he says, Norte Chico among them, were cultures proceeding without a map.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Related Words

• action
• course of action
• exercise
• experiment
• incident
• measure
• operation
• procedure
• process
• transaction