# procedural

/pɹəˈsidʒɝəɫ/ (US) · /pɹəsˈiːdʒəɹəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/procedural
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. following rules or steps

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic · Formal

relating to the official way of doing something, especially in law or government.

For teachers: relating to an established or official way of conducting business, particularly in legal, administrative, or parliamentary contexts.

- The judge dismissed the case because of a procedural error by the police.
- The committee's decision was delayed by several procedural challenges raised by the opposition regarding the validity of the initial vote.

Usage: Often modifies nouns like 'error', 'requirement', or 'fairness'.

### 2. computer-generated

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

created by a computer program using a set of rules rather than being designed by a person.

For teachers: referring to content, such as textures or landscapes, generated algorithmically rather than manually authored.

- The game uses procedural generation to create a different world for every player.
- By employing procedural techniques, the developers were able to create a vast, diverse universe without the need for massive storage space.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'procedural generation'.

### 3. investigative fiction

noun · CEFR B2

a TV show or book that focuses on the technical details of a professional investigation, like a police or medical drama.

For teachers: a subgenre of detective or crime fiction that emphasizes the realistic and systematic steps of an investigation.

- He loves watching a good police procedural on Friday nights.
- While many viewers prefer high-action thrillers, she enjoys the slow, methodical pace of a well-written legal procedural.

## Examples

- The judge dismissed the case due to a procedural error.
- The game uses procedural generation to create a unique, infinite universe for every player to explore.
- While the committee agreed on the final goals, they spent hours debating procedural details regarding how the votes should be recorded and verified.

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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.