proceeding

[ pruh-see-ding ]

noun

1. a particular action or course or manner of action.
2. proceedings, a series of activities or events; happenings.
3. the act of a person or thing that proceeds:

   Our proceeding down the mountain was hindered by mud slides.

4. proceedings, a record of the doings or transactions of a fraternal, academic, etc., society.
5. proceedings, Law.
   1. the instituting or carrying on of an action at law.
   2. a legal step or measure:

      to institute proceedings against a person.

proceeding

/ prəˈsiːdɪŋ /

noun

1. an act or course of action
2. 1. the institution of a legal action
   2. any step taken in a legal action
3. plural the minutes of the meetings of a club, society, etc
4. plural legal action; litigation
5. plural the events of an occasion, meeting, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of proceeding¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; proceed, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

The investigative aspect of impeachment proceedings serves this third purpose.

From Washington Post

It made no sense to waste all that time, effort and money, so I told my wife we should separate and start divorce proceedings.

From Washington Post

When Karau failed to show for the proceeding, defense attorneys moved to have the charge dismissed.

From Washington Post

Even when the proceedings are technically above-board, people can still feel like they’re being deceived.

From Freakonomics

With the help of her pastor and his wife, she connected with Bright Horizons, a shelter and advocacy group for people who have experienced domestic abuse or sexual violence, and separated from her husband, with divorce proceedings now underway.

From Time

The NFL knew of the indictment and the results of the criminal proceeding.

From The Daily Beast

Either way, the Navy is proceeding full steam ahead in preparing the DDG-1000 for sea.

From The Daily Beast

The judge tells him to sit tight and wait for his case to be individually handled at the end of the proceeding.

From The Daily Beast

Thirty years later, Miller beheld her in another proceeding and asked the board not to parole her.

From The Daily Beast

The efforts are proceeding slowly and tentatively because the price differential of the fuel is only one factor to consider.

From The Daily Beast

Before proceeding we may notice “night” of the third line is directly connected with “stars” of the fourth line by Concurrence.

From Project Gutenberg

Emigration is now proceeding with gigantic strides, and is destined for some time to continue.

From Project Gutenberg

Columbus, proceeding towards Cuba, named the headland Cabo de Cruz on this day.

From Project Gutenberg

When the French generals reached the Austrian end they found a sergeant of engineers actually proceeding to fire the fuse.

From Project Gutenberg

If the amount of a claim is unliquidated the act sets forth the mode of proceeding.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• action
• course of action
• exercise
• experiment
• incident
• measure
• operation
• procedure
• process
• transaction

When To Use

What are other ways to say proceeding?

The noun proceeding refers to a particular course or manner of action. The plural proceedings refers to a series of activities or events, or to a record of the doings or transactions of a social club or academic society. Do you know when to use proceedings instead of procedure or process? Find out on Thesaurus.com.