process

I UK [ˈprəʊses] / US [ˈprɑses] noun [countable]
Word forms "process":
singular process plural processes
***

1) a series of things that happen and have a particular result

We use drugs to speed up the healing process.

process of:

Changes occur in the body because of the process of ageing.

a) a series of actions that have a particular result

Learning a language is a slow process.

process of:

the complex process of legally changing your name

See:

peace process

b) a series of actions used to make a product, or to treat it with chemicals

an industrial process

2) legal an official document ordering you to take part in a case in a court of law

•

- in the process of doing something

See:

process of elimination

II UK [ˈprəʊses] / US [ˈprɑses] verb [transitive]
Word forms "process":
present tense I/you/we/they process he/she/it processes present participle processing past tense processed past participle processed
**

1) to deal with a document officially so that something can happen

28,000 applications for travel visas have still to be processed.

2) to put information into a computer in order to organize it

Data is processed as it is received.

3)

a) to treat a substance with chemicals or machines in order to make something

the development of a new facility for processing nuclear fuel

b) to make photographs from film by treating it with chemicals

4) to add chemicals or other substances to food, for example to keep it fresh for a long time

processed cheese/meat

Derived word:
processing
noun uncountable

the food processing industry

There have been some delays with the processing of planning applications.

III UK [prəˈses] / US verb [intransitive]
Word forms "process":
present tense I/you/we/they process he/she/it processes present participle processing past tense processed past participle processed formal

to move in a very slow formal way, especially in a procession