process
process — noun
1. a set of actions or steps that you follow in order to complete a particular task
a set of actions or steps that you follow in order to complete a particular task or reach a goal
Ava followed the hiring process step by step until she found the right candidate.
process of + gerund: hiring process
The application process for a student visa can take up to three months.
Stefan explained the entire decision-making process to the board members.
compound noun: decision-making process
Learning a new language is a slow process that requires daily practice.
The school board is reviewing the process for selecting new textbooks.
process for + noun: selecting new textbooks
- step in the process
- part of the process
- process of elimination
- decision-making process
Grammar Patterns
process of + noun / gerund
process for + noun / gerund
Usage Note
Often followed by 'of' plus a gerund (e.g., 'the process of applying'). In business contexts, 'process for' is also common.
Common Mistakes
2. changes that take place gradually and without human control, as part of nature o
changes that take place gradually and without human control, as part of nature or inside a living creature
Linh learned about the process of photosynthesis in her biology class.
process of + noun: process of photosynthesis
The aging process affects every organ in the human body over many years.
Vinícius studied how the process of erosion slowly shaped the canyon walls.
natural phenomenon: erosion process
Digestion is a natural process that breaks down food into nutrients your body can use.
- natural process
- aging process
- healing process
- digestive process
- development
emphasises growth or progress over time; more general than 'process'
- course
suggests events unfolding naturally without human interference
- progression
focuses on forward movement from one stage to the next
Grammar Patterns
natural process
process of + noun / gerund
Usage Note
Subject is typically a natural phenomenon (erosion, evolution, digestion) rather than a human activity. Distinguish from sense 1 (SERIES OF STEPS), where a human intentionally directs the actions.
3. a method used in industry to treat raw materials and turn them into finished pro
a method used in industry to treat raw materials and turn them into finished products through a series of controlled steps
Sahil toured the factory to see the production process for ceramic tiles.
compound noun: production process
The company developed a new process for recycling plastic bottles into fabric.
Adina tested each stage of the manufacturing process to find quality problems.
manufacturing process
Femi studied the chemical process that turns cocoa beans into chocolate powder.
- manufacturing process
- production process
- chemical process
- industrial process
Grammar Patterns
production process
manufacturing process
4. a small projecting part of a bone or other structure in the body, shaped like a
a small projecting part of a bone or other structure in the body, shaped like a bump or ridge
Dr. Okafor pointed to the mastoid process behind the patient's ear.
anatomical term: mastoid process
The x-ray showed a small bone process on the top of Caleb's wrist joint.
bone process
A fracture of the spinous process in the spine can cause severe back pain.
The nurse explained that a bony process is simply a natural bump where muscles attach.
- mastoid process
- spinous process
- bony process
- vertebral process
Grammar Patterns
process of + body part
Usage Note
This sense is almost exclusively used in anatomy and medical contexts. Learners at B2 or below are unlikely to encounter it outside specialised study.
process — verb
1. to deal with an official document, application, or request by following a set se
to deal with an official document, application, or request by following a set series of steps
The visa office took six weeks to process Min's student visa application.
process + noun: process an application
Our library processes over two hundred book requests every single week.
The insurance company promised to process her claim within ten working days.
process + noun: process a claim
Once the HR department processes your paperwork, you will receive an employee ID card.
passive: paperwork is processed
The town hall processes building permits faster when applications are submitted online.
- process an application
- process a claim
- process paperwork
- process an order
Grammar Patterns
process + noun phrase (application, claim, request)
Usage Note
Object is usually a type of official document or request: application, claim, order, payment, permit, visa.
Common Mistakes
2. to take in information with a computer and run calculations or instructions on i
to take in information with a computer and run calculations or instructions on it so that the result becomes usable
The laptop needs more memory to process large video files without freezing.
process + noun: process video files
Yara's phone can process a high-resolution photo in less than two seconds.
The server processes millions of search queries from users around the world.
process + noun: process queries
Jude wrote a script to process the survey data and generate charts automatically.
- process data
- process information
- process images
- process signals
Grammar Patterns
process + noun phrase (data, information, images)
Usage Note
Subject is usually a computer, device, or software. Human subjects can use this sense metaphorically ('my brain is still processing that news').
Common Mistakes
3. to handle raw ingredients or food items through industrial steps that alter thei
to handle raw ingredients or food items through industrial steps that alter their form, keep them from spoiling, or make them ready for sale
The cheese factory processes over five thousand litres of milk every morning.
process + noun: process milk
Most coffee beans are processed before they are packed and shipped to stores.
passive: are processed
Adina learned how to process raw wool into yarn at the textile workshop.
process + noun into + noun
The bakery processes fresh fruits into jams and fillings for its pastries.
- process food
- process waste
- process milk
- process oil
- treat
implies applying a chemical or physical procedure, often for preservation or safety
- refine
suggests purifying or removing impurities, especially for oil, sugar, or metals
- manufacture
broader — refers to the entire production operation, not just the treatment stage
Grammar Patterns
process + noun phrase (food, waste, oil, metal)
Usage Note
Commonly used in the passive ('is processed') to describe how food or raw materials are handled before sale. The pattern 'process X into Y' indicates what the material becomes.
4. to reflect on a troubling event or emotion until you reach a point of understand
to reflect on a troubling event or emotion until you reach a point of understanding and acceptance
Caleb needed time alone to process the news of his grandfather's death.
process + noun: process news
Linh went to a therapist to help her process the trauma of the accident.
After the argument, Stefan sat quietly in his room and tried to process what had been said.
process + wh-clause: process what had been said
Talia told her friend she needed time to process before making any big decisions.
intransitive: process (without an object)
- process grief
- process trauma
- process the news
- process emotions
- come to terms with
longer phrase, suggests eventual acceptance rather than active thinking
- work through
phrasal verb, slightly less formal; implies effort over time
- deal with
more general; can apply to any situation, not just emotional ones
Grammar Patterns
process + noun phrase (grief, shock, trauma, news)
Usage Note
Object is typically a difficult emotion or event (grief, shock, loss, news, trauma). Also used intransitively: 'I need time to process.' Distinguish from sense 1 (HANDLE OFFICIALLY), which deals with documents and applications rather than emotions.
Common Mistakes
5. to develop photographic film by treating it with chemicals so that visible image
to develop photographic film by treating it with chemicals so that visible images appear on paper
Vinícius still likes to process his own black-and-white film at home.
process + noun: process film
The darkroom is used to process rolls of film from the photography class.
The photographer processed the negatives and printed each picture by hand.
process + noun: process negatives
The shop processes disposable cameras for customers who still use film.
- process film
- process negatives
- process photographs
Grammar Patterns
process + noun phrase (film, negatives, photos)
Usage Note
This sense is becoming less common as digital photography replaces film. It refers specifically to chemical film development, not digital image editing.
6. to step forward in a slow and deliberate way, especially as part of a formal gro
to step forward in a slow and deliberate way, especially as part of a formal group event or ceremony
Sahil watched the graduates process slowly across the stage to receive their diplomas.
process + adverb: process slowly
The choir processed down the aisle of the church while the congregation sang.
Femi stood on the balcony and watched the parade process through the square.
process + preposition: process through
The bride and her father processed arm in arm toward the altar.
- process down the aisle
- process through the streets
- process slowly
Grammar Patterns
process + adverb / prepositional phrase
Usage Note
This is a formal or literary verb, almost always intransitive. It typically describes ceremonial movement in weddings, graduations, or religious services.
Word family
- processingnounB2
- processornounB2
- processionnounB1
- processedadjectiveB2
- procedurenounB2
- proceduraladjectiveC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
Process, procedure, method, and system all describe ways of doing things, but they differ in focus. A process emphasises a sequence of steps or stages that lead to a result — it unfolds over time ('the hiring process takes two weeks'). A procedure is a fixed, official set of actions, often mandated by rules ('emergency evacuation procedure'). A method is a systematic technique for achieving something, emphasising how rather than when ('her teaching method involves group work'). A system is an organised set of rules or components that work together ('the school's grading system'). In practice: 'We followed the application process step by step'; 'the standard procedure for refunds'; 'a more efficient method of sorting mail'; 'their inventory system tracks every item.'
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'process' comes from Latin 'processus', meaning 'a going forward, advance, or progress'. This was formed from 'pro-' ('forward') and 'cedere' ('to go, move'). It passed into Old French as 'procés' and then into Middle English in the 14th century. The original meaning was a legal proceeding or a narrative account; the modern senses of a series of steps or natural changes developed gradually from the early 1600s onward. The verb forms emerged from the noun in the 1800s.