# proc

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/proc
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to trigger an effect

verb · CEFR C2 · Slang · Technical

to cause a special ability or random event to happen in a game.

For teachers: to trigger a specific programmed event or effect, often one that occurs with a certain probability.

- My sword has a chance to proc a fire blast every time I hit an enemy.
- The player optimized their gear to ensure the healing ability would proc more frequently during high-damage phases of the encounter.

Usage: Commonly used as an intransitive verb in gaming communities.

### 2. a triggered event

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · Technical

a special event or effect that happens in a game, often by chance.

For teachers: an occurrence of a programmed event, particularly a 'Programmed Random Occurrence'.

- I got a lucky proc that doubled my damage for ten seconds.
- The developer adjusted the internal cooldown to prevent the proc from being exploited by high-speed attackers.

Teaching tip: While originally an abbreviation, in gaming it is often treated as a standalone noun for any triggered effect.

### 3. a procedure

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a short way to say 'procedure' in computer programming.

For teachers: a clipping of 'procedure', referring to a set of instructions that perform a specific task.

- The main proc handles all the user input for the application.
- The legacy code was difficult to maintain because the primary proc contained over two thousand lines of unoptimized logic.

### 4. a processor

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a short way to say 'processor', the brain of a computer.

For teachers: a clipping of 'processor', referring to the central processing unit of a computer system.

- The server is running at high capacity because the proc is overloaded.
- Upgrading the system's proc significantly reduced the time required for complex data rendering.

## Examples

- My health potion will proc if my life gets too low.
- The player equipped the enchanted sword because it has a ten percent chance to proc a lightning strike on every hit.
- Experienced players often calculate their critical hit chance to ensure that powerful abilities proc frequently enough to maintain high damage output during boss encounters.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.