proceed
Americanverb (used without object)
-
proceeds,
present (3rd person singular)
-
proceeded,
past participle, past
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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
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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
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(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
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proceedsimple
-
proceedssimple
-
have proceededperfect
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has proceededperfect
-
am proceedingprogressive
-
are proceedingprogressive
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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
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Beowulf vocabulary
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UCPS 6th Grade Roots List #1
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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:
But you need to accept that your money may be lost, and proceed with full disclosure.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026
Former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, who was also there, said the train he was on had an evacuation warning but could proceed to the border crossing.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026
"Currently, we are focused on the retrieval, and after that we will proceed with the investigation," she said, confirming the bodies had been found in the ship's economy accommodation area.
From Barron's ● Sep. 12, 2026
On Sunday OpenAI's chief scientist said the risk from increasingly capable AI models is "unfortunately growing" and humanity must proceed with "extreme caution".
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026
I stare at him, debating the best way to proceed.
From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed
One victim in Missouri reportedly lost more than $16 million, while millions of dollars in suspected scam proceeds were allegedly laundered through cryptocurrency.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026
About $20 million of the total proceeds will flow to full-year earnings per share.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026
The dress, designed by Christina Stambolian, is estimated to fetch between $150,000 and $300,000, with some proceeds going to charity.
From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 2026
The store donates a portion of proceeds to local cat rescues, such as Kitten Rescue Los Angeles, Northeast L.A.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2026
A form of history which presents itself as acutely sensitive to the language of people in the past proceeds by dismissing out of hand what they said, over and over again, about themselves.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
The artificial-intelligence race also has proceeded at a stunning pace, driving the economy and adding to inflation.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 13, 2026
Though they proceeded with hope for the earlier return, the longer one came to fruition.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026
District Judge Ana Reyes blocked it nationwide while the case proceeded after finding that the plaintiffs were likely to prevail on the merits.
From Slate ● Sep. 1, 2026
Djokovic proceeded to win four of the following five Grand Slams, doubling his tally of majors with 12 across the next six years.
From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026
She then proceeded to guide Duane in the making of a new ice treat.
From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el
The Tates' lawyers have argued they should be released on bail pending their extradition proceeding, saying the brothers were not a flight risk and did not pose a danger to the community.
From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026
"The police investigation is proceeding at full speed," police added in their statement on Saturday.
From Barron's ● Aug. 22, 2026
The lawsuit seeks emergency relief to stop the agency’s early renewal proceeding and any resulting threat against ABC’s station licenses.
From Salon ● Aug. 20, 2026
Companies are waiting for transport solutions from governments, with Swtizerland proceeding only slowly, he says.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
If Morgan Stanley failed, however, its share in their fund wound up as an asset in a bankruptcy proceeding.
From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis
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.
