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Synonyms

standard operating procedure

American  

noun

  1. a set of fixed instructions or steps for carrying out usually routine operations. SOP


Etymology

Origin of standard operating procedure

First recorded in 1950–55

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:

His memorandum wasn’t an aberration but standard operating procedure.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 26, 2026

But much of Newhouse’s approach now seems like standard operating procedure.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 14, 2025

An execution is botched if it does not follow standard operating procedure or departs from the requirements of the legal protocol that governs the conduct of executions.

From Slate May 12, 2025

It has subsequently emerged arresting officer Bryan Gillis had failed to activate his bodycam video before Scheffler was stopped, handcuffed and arrested, despite it being standard operating procedure.

From BBC May 21, 2024

But his standard operating procedure is to ignore me.

From "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan

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