process

[ pros-es; especially British proh-ses ]

/ ˈprɒs ɛs; especially British ˈproʊ sɛs /

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See synonyms for: process / processed / processes / processing on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural proc·ess·es

[pros-es-iz, ‐uh-siz, ‐uh-seez or, especially British, proh-ses-iz, proh-suh-seez]. /ˈprɒs ɛs ɪz, ‐ə sɪz, ‐əˌsiz or, especially British, ˈproʊ sɛs ɪz, ˈproʊ sə siz/.

a systematic series of actions directed to some end: to devise a process for homogenizing milk.

a continuous action, operation, or series of changes taking place in a definite manner: the process of decay.

Law.

the summons, mandate, or writ by which a defendant or thing is brought before court for litigation.
the whole course of the proceedings in an action at law.

Photography. photomechanical or photoengraving methods collectively.

Biology, Anatomy. a natural outgrowth, projection, or appendage: a process of a bone.

the action of going forward or on.

the condition of being carried on.

course or lapse, as of time.

conk⁴ (defs. 1, 2).

verb (used with object)

to treat or prepare by some particular series of actions, as in manufacturing.

to handle (papers, records, etc.) by systematically organizing them, recording or making notations on them, following up with appropriate action, or the like: to process mail.

to mentally or emotionally deal with and make sense of: Cognitive therapy can be helpful in processing traumatic events and experiences.The disease affects the brain's ability to process bodily sensations.

to require (someone) to answer questionnaires, perform various tasks, and sometimes to undergo physical and aptitude classification examinations before the beginning or termination of a period of service: The army processes all personnel entering or leaving the service.

to convert (an agricultural commodity) into marketable form by a special series of steps, as pasteurization.

to institute a legal process against; prosecute.

to serve a process or summons on.

Computers. to carry out operations on (data or programs).

conk⁴ (def. 3).

verb (used without object)

to deal with something mentally or emotionally and make sense of it: That movie completely blew me away—I’m still processing a week later.

to undergo administrative activities involved in hiring or firing personnel, organizing and reviewing information to make a decision, etc.: The recruits are expected to process in four days.Your application for admission is still processing, but you should hear from us shortly.

adjective

prepared or modified by an artificial process or procedure: process cheese.

noting, pertaining to, or involving photomechanical or photoengraving methods: a process print.

Informal. of or relating to hair that has been conked, or chemically straightened.

Movies. created by or used in process cinematography: a moving background on a process screen.

OTHER WORDS FOR process

1 operation.

See synonyms for process on Thesaurus.com

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of process

First recorded in 1275–1325; from Middle English proces (noun), from Old French, from Latin prōcessus “a going forward,” equivalent to prō- pro-¹ + ced-, variant stem of cēdere “to yield” + -tus suffix of verbal action, with dt >ss ; see cede,cession

synonym study for process

1. Process, procedure, proceeding apply to something that goes on or takes place. A process is a series of progressive and interdependent steps by which an end is attained: a chemical process. Procedure usually implies a formal or set order of doing a thing, a method of conducting affairs: parliamentary procedure. Proceeding (usually pl.) applies to what goes on or takes place on a given occasion or to the records of the occasion: Proceedings of the Royal Academy of Sciences.

how to pronounce process

The word process, an early 14th century French borrowing, has a regularly formed plural that adds -es to the singular. This plural, as in similar words like recesses and successes, has traditionally been pronounced

[-iz]: /-ɪz/:

[pros-es-iz, proh-ses-] /ˈprɒs ɛs ɪz, ˈproʊ sɛs-/ or

[pros-uh-siz, proh-suh-]. /ˈprɒs ə sɪz, ˈproʊ sə-/. Recent years have seen the increasing popularity of an

[-eez] /-ˌiz/ pronunciation for processes, perhaps by mistaken analogy with such plurals as theses and hypotheses, with which it has no connection. Although this newer pronunciation is increasingly common, it is regarded by some educated speakers as an affectation.

OTHER WORDS FROM process

pro·ces·su·al

[pro-sesh-oo-uhl or, especially British, proh-], /prɒˈsɛʃ u əl or, especially British, proʊ-/, adjectiveo·ver·proc·ess, verb (used with object)pre·proc·ess, verbre·proc·ess, verb (used with object)

sem·i·proc·essed, adjectivetrans·proc·ess, nounun·proc·essed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use process in a sentence

Nearly a quarter of the Terps’ roster is currently in that 21-day process.
Maryland football is ‘committed to getting back,’ but timeline for return is unclear|Emily Giambalvo|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
The grievance process, which is conducted privately, is ongoing.
Washington Football Team minority owners have a deal to sell, but Daniel Snyder is blocking it|Will Hobson, Mark Maske, Liz Clarke|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
The outreach is a continuation of a process he began while still competing, even with those he played against.
The enduring and ongoing legacy of Bjergsen|Noah Smith|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
He learned at Temple, where he’d had three coaches in four seasons, to trust his process.
For undrafted NFL rookies, the odds were even longer this year. Isaiah Wright made it anyway.|Sam Fortier|November 20, 2020|Washington Post

Meanwhile, the bankruptcy process has cost the Boy Scouts more than $41 million so far, she said.
Boy Scouts must settle 95,000 abuse claims by next summer — or risk running out of cash|Samantha Schmidt|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
I try to eat less processed food, like whole grains, fruits and vegetables, nothing over-processed.
Anastasia Ashley, Surfer-Cum-Model, Rides The Viral Internet Wave|James Joiner|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Once in Sicily, the refugees are processed and released by the Italian authorities, who have streamlined the experience.
Inside the Smuggling Networks Flooding Europe with Refugees|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In your acceptance speech at the National Book Awards, you said, “War is too strange to be processed alone.”
The Veteran Who Took Home the National Book Award|Jacob Siegel|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You get to browse full menus by phone and receive confirmation when your order is being processed.
How Much Do You Tip A Robot Bartender?|Kayleigh Kulp|October 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At best, they would be processed and free to return home to sail again.
Hundreds of Migrants are Reported Drowned by Traffickers Near Malta|Barbie Latza Nadeau|September 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A lack of processed candles and kerosene oil left only grease and wax to be utilized for making handmade candles.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia|Dorothy M. Torpey
The next week the colonists harvested and processed the food for storage and immediately planted another crop.
Student Body|Floyd L. Wallace
Everyone here is going to have to be processed through the criminal justice system.
Little Brother|Cory Doctorow
Then the filled jars are covered loosely and placed in a water bath and processed; that is, cooked and sterilized.
Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 5|Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences
(c) When should you begin to count the boiling time for food that is being processed in the water bath?
Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 5|Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences

British Dictionary definitions for process (1 of 2)

process¹

/ (ˈprəʊsɛs) /

noun

a series of actions that produce a change or developmentthe process of digestion

a method of doing or producing something

a forward movement

the course of time

a summons, writ, etc, commanding a person to appear in court
the whole proceedings in an action at law

a natural outgrowth or projection of a part, organ, or organism

a distinct subtask of a computer system which can be regarded as proceeding in parallel with other subtasks of the system

(modifier) relating to the general preparation of a printing forme or plate by the use, at some stage, of photography

(modifier) denoting a film, film scene, shot, etc, made by techniques that produce unusual optical effects

verb (tr)

to subject to a routine procedure; handle

to treat or prepare by a special method, esp to treat (food) in order to preserve itto process cheese

to institute legal proceedings against
to serve a process on

photog

to develop, rinse, fix, wash, and dry (exposed film, etc)
to produce final prints or slides from (undeveloped film)

computing to perform mathematical and logical operations on (data) according to programmed instructions in order to obtain the required information

to prepare (food) using a food processor

Word Origin for process

C14: from Old French procès, from Latin prōcessus an advancing, from prōcēdere to proceed

British Dictionary definitions for process (2 of 2)

process²

/ (prəˈsɛs) /

verb

(intr) to proceed in or as if in a procession

Word Origin for process

C19: back formation from procession

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

process

OTHER WORDS FOR process

Origin of process

synonym study for process

how to pronounce process

OTHER WORDS FROM process

Words related to process

How to use process in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for process (1 of 2)

Word Origin for process

British Dictionary definitions for process (2 of 2)

Word Origin for process