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
: 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
Aya Al-Hakim, People.com, 13 July 2025
Eligible families receiving free child care are experiencing displacement from services in Tarrant County this summer due to procedural delays in grant funding for the federal Head Start program, according to a local provider.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2025
Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2025
Though Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital has seen its fair share of shocks and surprises, including character returns, there’s one fan-favorite physician that isn’t likely to grace the ABC medical procedural again.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for procedural
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Adjective
Set in Tijuana and inspired by real events, the series blends procedural grit, suspense and political intrigue.
—Aya Al-Hakim, People.com, 13 July 2025
Eligible families receiving free child care are experiencing displacement from services in Tarrant County this summer due to procedural delays in grant funding for the federal Head Start program, according to a local provider.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2025
Noun
Pulse was Netflix’s first take at a medical procedural.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2025
Though Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital has seen its fair share of shocks and surprises, including character returns, there’s one fan-favorite physician that isn’t likely to grace the ABC medical procedural again.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for procedural
Cite this Entry
“Procedural.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/procedural. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
National Law Journal
procedurally
adverb
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