English Reference
noun

proceedings

n.
US /pɹəˈsidɪŋz/ UK /pɹəsˈiːdɪŋz/ pro·ceed·ings

  1. 01 C1 Advanced Formal Law

    the official things that happen in a court of law or during a formal meeting.

    the formal series of actions or events that occur in a court of law or a structured meeting. Usually plural and takes a plural verb.

    Simple

    The judge asked for silence before the court proceedings began.

    In context

    The legal proceedings were delayed for several months while the defence team gathered additional evidence from international witnesses.

    Usage

    Always used in the plural form when referring to legal or formal actions.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced AcademicFormal Academic

    a published book or report that contains all the papers and talks from a professional meeting.

    the published record of the activities, discussions, or papers presented at a meeting of a society or professional body.

    Simple

    You can find his research paper in the conference proceedings from last year.

    In context

    The annual proceedings of the Royal Society provide a comprehensive overview of the scientific breakthroughs discussed during their autumn sessions.

    Usage

    Often appears in the title of academic journals or conference reports.

Linda, originally from Llanybydder in Wales, had been in the midst of divorce proceedings and had visited a bank with a court order to freeze her husband's bank accounts the week before she vanished.

BBC News· 14 Aug 2026

France has opened disciplinary proceedings against its top diplomat in the Central African Republic (CAR) over accusations of misconduct.

BBC News· 13 Aug 2026
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Common
Updated