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

His new comedic drama procedural Einstein, originally picked up to series last week for the 2025-26 season, is now being held for 2026-27. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2025

In addition to procedural changes, the bill clarifies the fines associated with violations, establishing clear penalty amounts. —Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2025

Noun

Pulse, Netflix’s first English-language medical procedural, releases April 3 on the streamer. PREVIOUS, Feb. 18: Netflix has set April 3 as premiere date for Pulse, its first English-language medical procedural. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025

There’s also a return to case per episode, procedurals. —Jamie Lang, Variety, 28 Feb. 2025

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