process (n.)

  1. a particular course of action intended to achieve a result; the procedure of obtaining a drivers license; it was a process of trial and error

    [ Syn: procedure ]

  2. (psychology) the performance of some composite cognitive activity; an operation that affects mental contents; the process of thinking; the cognitive operation of remembering

    [ Syn: cognitive process , mental process , operation , cognitive operation ]

  3. a writ issued by authority of law; usually compels the defendants attendance in a civil suit; failure to appear results in a default judgment against the defendant

    [ Syn: summons ]

  4. a mental process that you are not directly aware of; the process of denial

    [ Syn: unconscious process ]

  5. a natural prolongation or projection from a part of an organism either animal or plant; a bony process

    [ Syn: outgrowth , appendage ]

  6. a sustained phenomenon or one marked by gradual changes through a series of states; events now in process; the process of calcification begins later for boys than for girls

    [ Syn: physical process ]

    process (v.)

  1. subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition; process cheese; process hair; treat the water so it can be drunk; treat the lawn with chemicals ; treat an oil spill

    [ Syn: treat ]

  2. deal with in a routine way; I'll handle that one; process a loan; process the applicants'

  3. perform mathematical and logical operations on (data) according to programmed instructions in order to obtain the required information; The results of the elections were still being processed when he gave his acceptance speech'

  4. institute legal proceedings against; file a suit against; He was warned that the district attorney would process him; She actioned the company for discrimination

    [ Syn: action , sue , litigate ]

  5. march in a procession; They processed into the dining room

    [ Syn: march ]

  6. shape, form, or improve a material; work stone into tools; process iron; work the metal

    [ Syn: work , work on ]

  7. deliver a warrant or summons to someone; He was processed by the sheriff

    [ Syn: serve , swear out ]

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2011 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.