proceed
Americanverb (used without object)
-
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
-
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
-
(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
-
has proceededperfect
-
am proceedingprogressive
-
are proceedingprogressive
-
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:
With Platner out of the picture, the Maine Democratic Party will proceed with a convention later this month to determine the next nominee.
From Slate ● Jul. 11, 2026
It will consult the Kaba family, who argue there are exceptional circumstances why it should still proceed.
From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026
These animals often sit for months in shelters as their owners’ court cases proceed.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026
Preliminary hearing in Utah seeks to establish if a case against suspect Tyler Robinson may proceed toward trial.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
“Meet you Gregor and Boots the Overlanders, brother and sister, who have most recently fallen among us. Please bathe them and then proceed to the High Hall.”
From "Gregor the Overlander" by Suzanne Collins
“We remain committed to helping facilitate the timely disbursement of insurance proceeds as requirements are met.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026
Griffiths will face a proceeds of crime hearing on 23 November.
From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026
"We will continue to aggressively follow the money and deny the Iranian regime access to the proceeds of its illicit revenue schemes," he said in a post on X.
From Barron's ● Jul. 14, 2026
The region saw 47 IPOs in 1H that raised over $3.07 billion in proceeds, compared with $1.41 billion raised by 53 IPOs in the same period a year ago, the report stated.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
The author seems to realize the problem as he proceeds, so he tacks on such that to signal that he is contrasting the two hypotheses after all.
From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker
England and India proceeded to play out a classic with the hosts 2-1 heading to The Oval for the fifth and final Test.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026
Two lower courts issued preliminary rulings in her favor and blocked Trump from firing her while her lawsuit proceeded.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026
As the work proceeded, Palacios sipped water and watched nervously.
From Barron's ● Jun. 28, 2026
While the dwelling had been “newly updated” when Williams purchased it, she proceeded to overhaul it.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 8, 2026
The Incorrigibles proceeded to bark and howl with all their might.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
Traditionally, court reporters have used 22-key steno machines to rapidly take down every word said by lawyers, judges and anyone else who speaks on the record during an official proceeding.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026
Investors may now feel the probability of Anthropic proceeding with its IPO this year is increasing.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 1, 2026
This was viewed as a crucial step in their World Cup campaign after some debate over their previous choice of camps for the proceeding European Championships.
From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2026
"The Russian army's advance is proceeding at an extremely slow pace," Russian military expert Alexander Khramchikhin told AFP.
From Barron's ● Jun. 14, 2026
In a later proceeding, a government official asked her, “How did she go?”
From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann
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.
