Procedures: meaning, definitions and examples

Use in formal or official contexts, especially when describing a series of actions that need to be followed exactly, often in legal, medical, or bureaucratic settings.

• The hospital has strict procedures for handling emergency situations.
• The company's hiring procedures ensure that all applicants are treated fairly.

Use to describe a series of actions or steps taken to achieve a particular end, often used in business, manufacturing, or biological contexts.

• The manufacturing process has several stages, including assembly and quality control.
• Learning a new language is a gradual process that requires practice and patience.

Use to describe systematic ways of doing things, especially in scientific, academic, or technical contexts.

• The scientist developed new methods for analyzing the data.
• Teachers are always looking for effective methods to engage their students.

Use to describe specialized skills or ways of doing something, often learned through practice and used in arts, sports, or practical activities.

• The artist used several techniques to create different textures in the painting.
• There are various techniques for improving your swimming speed.

Steps to be followed in a specific order for performing an activity or task. Used in both professional and everyday scenarios to ensure tasks are done correctly.

• The safety procedures in the laboratory must be followed by all personnel
• The company has set up new procedures for handling customer complaints

Specific rules and procedures for official or formal situations, often in medical, diplomatic, or technical settings.

• The hospital follows strict protocols for surgery to prevent infections
• Diplomatic protocols must be observed during international meetings

Recommendations or advice about how to do something, providing general direction without strict orders. Often used in professional settings such as workplaces, educational contexts, or health advisories.

• The teacher provided guidelines for writing the research paper
• The WHO has issued guidelines for preventing the spread of infectious diseases

Official rules or laws put in place by an authority to control or govern behavior. Usually used in legal, governmental, or institutional contexts.

• The new environmental regulations require companies to reduce emissions
• Building regulations ensure that all structures are safe and up to code

Used when talking about established ways of doing something in a formal or systematic way, often in a business, medical, or technical setting.

• The company has strict procedures for reporting accidents.
• Surgical procedures require precision and care.

Used in everyday language to describe individual actions or stages in a process, often in a simpler or more informal context.

• Follow these steps to bake a cake.
• She took the necessary steps to complete her project on time.

Used when referring to specific actions taken to achieve a particular result or to improve a situation, often in a regulatory or safety context.

• The government is implementing new measures to reduce pollution.
• Safety measures are crucial in a construction site.

Used in very formal or technical contexts, often related to scientific research, medical treatments, or diplomatic settings, where specific sequences of actions or rules are important.

• The lab follows strict protocols to ensure the accuracy of the results.
• Diplomatic protocols must be observed during international summits.