proceeding
noun
pro·ceed·ing
prō-ˈsē-diŋ 
prə-
1
: legal action
a divorce proceeding
2
3
4
5
proceedings plural
: an official record of things said or done
Examples of proceeding in a Sentence
The secretary kept a record of the proceedings at the meeting.
She started the proceedings with a brief welcoming speech.
The proceedings of the conference will be published.
Recent Examples on the Web
Updike declined to comment on the bankruptcy proceedings or on how the league financially sustained itself other than to say the bankruptcy is unrelated to the league's demise.
—
Alexandria Burris, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Apr. 2024
Almost from the moment she was assigned the case in June, Judge Cannon, who was appointed by Mr. Trump in his waning days in office, has handled the proceeding in an unorthodox manner.
—Alan Feuer, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024
The next court date on the divorce proceedings is April 30, while the criminal case is scheduled to return to court in late May.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
That led to eviction proceedings, during which Acree is accused of fatally shooting Mack and Allen on Feb. 29.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2024
But the proceedings stalled as lawmakers negotiated must-pass spending bills and worked to avert a government shutdown.
—Lexie Schapitl, NPR, 28 Mar. 2024
The story opens with its most suspenseful action: a bombing by an IRA platoon in Belfast that accidentally kills a group of young children, setting a woeful tone for the rest of the proceedings.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 28 Mar. 2024
He is scheduled to return to court May 13 for further proceedings in his criminal case.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 27 Mar. 2024
The disbarment proceedings, which began in June, featured testimony from Pence's legal counsel Greg Jacob, state election officials from several states, and experts who Eastman relied on for his false claims of widespread election fraud.
—Laura Romero, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2024
Alexandria Burris, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Apr. 2024
Almost from the moment she was assigned the case in June, Judge Cannon, who was appointed by Mr. Trump in his waning days in office, has handled the proceeding in an unorthodox manner.
—Alan Feuer, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024
The next court date on the divorce proceedings is April 30, while the criminal case is scheduled to return to court in late May.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
That led to eviction proceedings, during which Acree is accused of fatally shooting Mack and Allen on Feb. 29.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2024
But the proceedings stalled as lawmakers negotiated must-pass spending bills and worked to avert a government shutdown.
—Lexie Schapitl, NPR, 28 Mar. 2024
The story opens with its most suspenseful action: a bombing by an IRA platoon in Belfast that accidentally kills a group of young children, setting a woeful tone for the rest of the proceedings.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 28 Mar. 2024
He is scheduled to return to court May 13 for further proceedings in his criminal case.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 27 Mar. 2024
The disbarment proceedings, which began in June, featured testimony from Pence's legal counsel Greg Jacob, state election officials from several states, and experts who Eastman relied on for his false claims of widespread election fraud.
—Laura Romero, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'proceeding.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of proceeding was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing proceeding
Dictionary Entries Near proceeding
Cite this Entry
“Proceeding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proceeding. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
proceeding
noun
pro·ceed·ing
2
plural
: things that happen
kept an eye on the proceedings
3
: a legal action
Legal Definition
proceeding
noun
pro·ceed·ing
1
: a particular step or series of steps in the enforcement, adjudication, or administration of rights, remedies, laws, or regulations: as
a
: an action, hearing, trial, or application before the court
—
collateral proceeding
: a proceeding that concerns an order, motion, petition, or writ deriving from or sought in relation to another proceeding (as a trial)
a collateral proceeding on a motion to have the judge in a pending trial disqualified
especially
: one in which a collateral attack on a judgment is made
sought to avoid the effect of the judgment in a collateral proceeding after denial of a direct appeal
—
core proceeding
: a proceeding (as one instituted by a debtor against a creditor) that is integral to the administration of a bankruptcy estate and so falls under the jurisdiction of the bankruptcy court
—
non-core proceeding
: a proceeding involving a matter that relates to a bankruptcy case but that does not arise under bankruptcy laws, that could be adjudicated in a state court, and over which a bankruptcy court has limited authority
—
special proceeding
: a proceeding (as for condemnation or disbarment) that may be commenced independently of a pending action by petition or motion and from which a final order affecting a substantial right may be immediately appealed
special proceedings created exclusively by statute where a special procedure is appropriate and warranted—Sosebee v. County Line Sch. Dist., 897 S.W.2d 556 (1995)
Sosebee v. County Line Sch. Dist., 897 S.W.2d 556 (1995)
—
summary proceeding
: a civil or criminal proceeding in the nature of a trial that is conducted without formalities (as indictment, pleadings, and usually a jury) for the speedy and peremptory disposition of a matter
—
supplementary proceeding
: a proceeding to discover the assets of a judgment debtor
also
: a proceeding that in some way supplements another
b
: a hearing conducted by an administrative body
c
: a criminal prosecution or investigation
2
plural
: an official record of things done or said
More from Merriam-Webster on proceeding
Nglish: Translation of proceeding for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of proceeding for Arabic Speakers
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