# proceed

/pɝˈsid/ (US) · /pɹəsˈiːd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/proceed
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to continue

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to continue doing something that has already started.

For teachers: to continue with a course of action or a task already initiated. Often used with the preposition 'with'.

- After the short break, the manager asked us to proceed with the meeting.
- The board of directors decided to proceed with the merger despite the concerns raised by the legal department regarding international regulations.

Usage: Commonly followed by 'with' plus a noun phrase.

### 2. to move forward

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to move in a particular direction.

For teachers: to move forward or onwards, especially after stopping. Intransitive; typically followed by a prepositional phrase of direction.

- Passengers for the flight to London should proceed to gate twelve immediately.
- The hikers were instructed to proceed along the marked trail until they reached the base camp located near the northern ridge.

Usage: Usually takes the preposition 'to' or 'along'.

### 3. to come from

verb · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

to happen or start as a result of something else.

For teachers: to arise or originate from a specific source. Often used in academic or technical contexts to describe causality.

- The problems in the company proceed from a lack of clear communication.
- The researchers argued that the observed chemical changes proceed from the interaction between the catalyst and the ambient moisture.

Usage: Typically takes the preposition 'from'.

### 4. legal action

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

to start or continue a legal case against someone.

For teachers: to initiate or carry on legal action or a formal judicial process.

- The victim decided to proceed against the company for negligence.
- The crown prosecutor determined there was sufficient evidence to proceed against the defendant on all three counts of fraud.

Usage: Often used with 'against' when referring to a person or entity being sued.

## Examples

- Please proceed to the next gate for boarding.
- After the judge reviewed the evidence, she allowed the lawyers to proceed with the trial.
- The committee decided to proceed with the construction project despite the initial environmental concerns raised by local residents during the public hearing.

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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.