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View synonyms for

process

[ pros-es; especially British proh-ses ]

noun

plural processes
  1. a systematic series of actions directed to some end:

    to devise a process for homogenizing milk.

    Synonyms:

  2. a continuous action, operation, or series of changes taking place in a definite manner:

    the process of decay.

  3. Law.
    1. the summons, mandate, or writ by which a defendant or thing is brought before court for litigation.
    2. the whole course of the proceedings in an action at law.
  4. Photography. photomechanical or photoengraving methods collectively.
  5. Biology, Anatomy. a natural outgrowth, projection, or appendage:

    a process of a bone.

  6. the action of going forward or on.
  7. the condition of being carried on.
  8. course or lapse, as of time.


verb (used with object)

  1. to treat or prepare by some particular series of actions, as in manufacturing.
  2. to handle (papers, records, etc.) by systematically organizing them, recording or making notations on them, following up with appropriate action, or the like:

    to process mail.

  3. to mentally or emotionally deal with and make sense of:

    Cognitive therapy can be helpful in processing traumatic events and experiences.

    The disease affects the brain's ability to process bodily sensations.

  4. to require (someone) to answer questionnaires, perform various tasks, and sometimes to undergo physical and aptitude classification examinations before the beginning or termination of a period of service:

    The army processes all personnel entering or leaving the service.

  5. to convert (an agricultural commodity) into marketable form by a special series of steps, as pasteurization.
  6. to institute a legal process against; prosecute.
  7. to serve a process or summons on.
  8. Computers. to carry out operations on (data or programs).

verb (used without object)

  1. to deal with something mentally or emotionally and make sense of it:

    That movie completely blew me away—I’m still processing a week later.

  2. to undergo administrative activities involved in hiring or firing personnel, organizing and reviewing information to make a decision, etc.:

    The recruits are expected to process in four days.

    Your application for admission is still processing, but you should hear from us shortly.

adjective

  1. prepared or modified by an artificial process or procedure:

    process cheese.

  2. noting, pertaining to, or involving photomechanical or photoengraving methods:

    a process print.

  3. Informal. of or relating to hair that has been conked, or chemically straightened.
  4. Movies. created by or used in process cinematography:

    a moving background on a process screen.

process

1

/ ˈəʊɛ /

noun

  1. a series of actions that produce a change or development

    the process of digestion

  2. a method of doing or producing something
  3. a forward movement
  4. the course of time
    1. a summons, writ, etc, commanding a person to appear in court
    2. the whole proceedings in an action at law
  5. a natural outgrowth or projection of a part, organ, or organism
  6. a distinct subtask of a computer system which can be regarded as proceeding in parallel with other subtasks of the system
  7. modifier relating to the general preparation of a printing forme or plate by the use, at some stage, of photography
  8. modifier denoting a film, film scene, shot, etc, made by techniques that produce unusual optical effects
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to subject to a routine procedure; handle
  2. to treat or prepare by a special method, esp to treat (food) in order to preserve it

    to process cheese

    1. to institute legal proceedings against
    2. to serve a process on
  3. photog
    1. to develop, rinse, fix, wash, and dry (exposed film, etc)
    2. to produce final prints or slides from (undeveloped film)
  4. computing to perform mathematical and logical operations on (data) according to programmed instructions in order to obtain the required information
  5. to prepare (food) using a food processor
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

process

2

/ əˈɛ /

verb

  1. intr to proceed in or as if in a procession
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Pronunciation Note

The word process, an early 14th century French borrowing, has a regularly formed plural that adds -es to the singular. This plural, as in similar words like recesses and successes, has traditionally been pronounced [-iz]: [pros, -es-iz, proh, -ses-] or [pros, -, uh, -siz, proh, -s, uh, -]. Recent years have seen the increasing popularity of an [-eez] pronunciation for processes, perhaps by mistaken analogy with such plurals as theses and hypotheses, with which it has no connection. Although this newer pronunciation is increasingly common, it is regarded by some educated speakers as an affectation.
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Other Word Forms

  • ··· [pro-, sesh, -oo-, uh, l, proh-], adjective
  • ··dz· verb (used with object)
  • ·dz· verb
  • ·dz· verb (used with object)
  • ··dz· adjective
  • ٰԲ·dz· noun
  • ܲ·dz· adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of process1

First recorded in 1275–1325; from Middle English proces (noun), from Old French, from Latin ōܲ “a going forward,” equivalent to ō- pro- 1 + ced-, variant stem of ŧ “to yield” + -tus suffix of verbal action, with dt > ss ; cede, cession
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Word History and Origins

Origin of process1

C14: from Old French dzè, from Latin ōܲ an advancing, from prōŧ to proceed

Origin of process2

C19: back formation from procession
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Synonym Study

Process, procedure, proceeding apply to something that goes on or takes place. A process is a series of progressive and interdependent steps by which an end is attained: a chemical process. Procedure usually implies a formal or set order of doing a thing, a method of conducting affairs: parliamentary procedure. Proceeding (usually pl.) applies to what goes on or takes place on a given occasion or to the records of the occasion: Proceedings of the Royal Academy of Sciences.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

is clear is that Putin and Trump are determined to bring their countries closer - whatever happens with the Ukraine peace process.

From

He was talking about the hundreds of Venezuelan men expelled from the country without due process and sent to a prison in El Salvador, where, according to the administration, they should remain until they die.

From

“She had to learn how to drive to apply,” said Molly Chew, project director at Vecina, a nonprofit whose ReUnite project works nationwide to help expedite the process for families with detained immigrant children.

From

Her attorney, Albert Robles, said he was not surprised about the appointment — and claimed the city was violating his client’s due process rights.

From

Dialing down the temperature with a sober-minded, fact-guided effort at giving Anthony due process would work out better for everyone in the community.

From

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When To Use

are other ways to say process?

A process is a systematic series of actions directed to some end. When should you use this noun over procedure or proceeding? Find out on .

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