proceeding

proceeding — verb

1. to start or keep doing something that was previously arranged, without letting a

1.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to start or keep doing something that was previously arranged, without letting anything stop or delay it

Example

Despite the heavy rain, Eitan proceeded with the outdoor wedding ceremony without any delay.

proceed with + noun phrase for continuing a plan

The school board voted to proceed with the new building project after reviewing the costs.

Common collocations
  • proceed with caution
  • proceed as planned
  • proceed with the project
Synonyms
  • go ahead

    less formal; more common in everyday conversation

  • continue

    broader meaning; does not carry the same formal or planned tone

Antonyms
  • halt

    suggests a sudden or official stop

Grammar Patterns

proceed with + noun phrase

Usage Note

This sense is more formal than alternatives like 'go ahead with' or 'carry on with'. Frequently used in business, legal, and official contexts where a decision to move forward has been made.

Common Mistakes

Please precede with your presentation.
Please proceed with your presentation.
'precede' means to come before; 'proceed' means to continue.

2. to take the next step in a planned order of actions, once the previous step is f

2.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to take the next step in a planned order of actions, once the previous step is finished

Example

After passing the written exam, Hiro proceeded to register for the practical driving test.

proceed to + infinitive for the next step in a sequence

Christopher finished writing the sales report and then proceeded to send it to his manager.

Common collocations
  • then proceeded to
  • proceeded to explain
  • proceeded to describe
Synonyms
  • move on

    less formal; implies advancement to the next stage

  • go on

    very informal; common in speech but less precise

Antonyms
  • stop

    general opposite; lacks the sequential nuance

Grammar Patterns

proceed to + infinitive

Usage Note

Frequently describes step-by-step instructions or procedures. Commonly used with time markers such as 'then', 'next', or 'after that' to signal the sequence.

Common Mistakes

After breakfast, I proceeded to go to work.' (too informal for this verb)
After breakfast, I went to work.
Reserve 'proceed to' for contexts where a formal, planned sequence is described.

3. to go in a specific direction, especially when following a planned route or a se

3.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

to go in a specific direction, especially when following a planned route or a set of instructions

Example

Layla proceeded along the forest trail until she reached a small bridge over the stream.

proceed + direction phrase indicating route

Kofi was told to proceed to the third floor and wait in Room 302.

Common collocations
  • proceed to
  • proceed along
  • proceed toward
Synonyms
  • go forward

    less formal; interchangeable in most contexts

  • advance

    slightly more formal; often implies purposeful movement

Antonyms
  • retreat

    suggests moving backward, often in a military or strategic sense

Grammar Patterns

proceed + direction/location phrase

Usage Note

Common in official signs, announcements, and travel instructions (e.g. 'proceed to Gate 12'). Less frequent in casual conversation, where 'go' or 'walk' is preferred.

proceeding — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All five words relate to resolving disputes through the legal system, but they differ in scope and concreteness. 'Proceedings' is the broadest term, covering any formal legal process — from a simple hearing to a complex multi-year court battle — and can include administrative tribunals, not just courts. 'Lawsuit' is narrower: it specifically refers to a civil claim brought by one party against another in a court of law, such as a defamation claim or a contract dispute. 'Litigation' is an abstract, uncountable noun that describes the entire process of taking legal action (e.g., 'The company faces years of litigation'). 'Case' is the most general term, encompassing any matter before a court, whether civil or criminal, and is used in everyday language ('The lawyer took on the case'). 'Trial' is the most specific: the actual courtroom hearing where evidence is presented and a verdict is reached. Not every proceeding reaches a trial — many are settled beforehand. For example, one might say, 'The legal proceedings lasted two years, but the case never went to trial because the parties settled during litigation.'

proceedingslawsuit ↗litigation ↗case ↗trial ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • court proceedings
  • bankruptcy proceedings
  • legal proceedings
  • conference proceedings
  • divorce proceedings

Adverbs

  • then proceed
  • safely proceed
  • directly proceed
  • immediately proceed

Phrases

  • proceed with caution
  • proceed as planned
  • start proceedings
  • the proceedings of the meeting

Prepositions

  • proceed with
  • proceed to
  • proceed along
  • proceedings against

Etymology

LatinAnglo-FrenchEnglish

The noun 'proceeding' comes from the verb 'proceed', which entered English in the 1300s through Anglo-French 'proceder'. That word came from Latin 'prōcēdere', a combination of 'prō-' (forward) and 'cēdere' (to go, move). Originally, the -ing form was simply the verb's gerund ('a going forward'), but by the 1400s it had become a separate noun used for formal events and legal actions. The sense of a written record of a meeting developed in academic and parliamentary contexts during the 1700s.