procedural

1 of 2

adjective

pro·​ce·​dur·​al prə-ˈsē-jə-rəl 

-ˈsēj-rəl

: of or relating to procedure

especially : of or relating to the procedure used by courts or other bodies administering substantive law

procedurally adverb

procedural

2 of 2

noun

: a realist crime novel, film, or television drama with a specific focus

a courtroom procedural

especially : police procedural

Examples of procedural in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The man whose carjacking attempt led to the fatal shooting of an Orange County woman in 2021 was sentenced to life in prison Monday after nearly two years of procedural delays over his conviction. —Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026

The office charged with contacting Interpol didn’t follow through because of a procedural issue. —Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026

Noun

For a global audience that’s come to associate Nordic TV with an endless parade of noir-ish procedurals, Burden of Justice flips the script, turning the justice system itself into the crime scene. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2026

Aubrey had called for international procedurals akin to The Pitt during an appearance at Content London at the backend of 2025. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1876, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1963, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing procedural

• police procedural
• procedural due process
• procedural face mask
• procedural mask

Medical Definition

procedural

adjective

pro·​ce·​dur·​al prə-ˈsēj-(ə-)rəl 

: relating to or comprising memory or knowledge concerned with how to manipulate symbols, concepts, and rules to accomplish a task or solve a problem compare declarative

Legal Definition

procedural

adjective

pro·​ce·​dur·​al prə-ˈsē-jə-rəl 

: of or relating to procedure

sentence reversed as result of procedural error in sentencing

—National Law Journal

compare substantive

procedurally adverb