procedure

A particular way of doing a task, usually through a series of steps.

• Please explain the procedure to me.
• We followed a simple procedure to test the water.
• The new procedure saves time.

How to use it: procedure for doing something (What is the procedure for applying for a refund?)

Similar words: method, process

Common phrases: standard procedure, procedure for something, follow a procedure

The official rules and steps an organisation follows when carrying out its work.

• The officer failed to follow procedure.
• Court procedure requires both sides to present evidence.
• Staff must comply with established procedures for handling complaints.

Similar words: protocol, rules

Common phrases: follow procedure, parliamentary procedure, established procedure

A named group of computer instructions that performs a task, sometimes without returning a value.

• This procedure prints the results.
• The program calls a procedure to clear the screen.
• Unlike a function, this procedure returns no value.

Similar words: subroutine, routine

Common phrases: call a procedure, stored procedure, procedure parameters