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

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

But on the ground, they were proceeding with business as usual.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

"But 60 percent of petrol production is proceeding today as well. We hope, of course, as does the company, that ramps up over the coming period."

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

“Former Lieutenant Governor Fairfax was recently served some paperwork associated with an upcoming court proceeding that apparently led to this incident last night,” Davis told reporters.

From Salon • Apr. 16, 2026

It requested an emergency meeting concerning “a disciplinary proceeding against Mr. Karl Larson.”

From "The Landry News" by Andrew Clements

Related Words

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