Words / C1

pr-uh-SEED-ingz/prəˈsiːdɪŋz/

Proceedings are the official events of a meeting, hearing, or court: legal proceedings, the proceedings of the board. Proceed (already in the dictionary) is the verb “go ahead”; minutes are the written record; a ceremony is milder. Do not start “proceedings” with biscuits and no named chair.

Meaning

The official events of a meeting, hearing, or court case (plural).

Examples

• “Proceedings start when the chair is named, not when the biscuits arrive.”
• “A meeting is everyday. A hearing is more formal. Court proceedings are litigation. Proceed is the verb already in this course. Minutes record proceedings; they are not the same word. Catering is not a quorum.”

Good to know

Official business of a meeting or court. Verb: proceed (already in the dictionary). Record: minutes. Biscuits ≠ a chair.

Near in meaning

proceed

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