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 court is considering an appeal of a lower-court judge’s ruling that the amendment is invalid because lawmakers violated procedural requirements. —Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026

Variety has learned that Nora and Lilla Zuckerman are taking the helm of the procedural dramedy as co-showrunners and executive producers following the exit of Todd Harthan, who departed the show at the end of Season 2. —Joe Otterson, Variety, 6 May 2026

Noun

In its second season, The Pitt remains a rock-solid procedural, with Noah Wyle continuing to hold down the show’s earnest, intense, hardworking team of doctors and nurses. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 May 2026

While parts of the procedural are indeed filmed in Wahlberg's hometown, it's largely filmed in Toronto. —Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 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