process

A series of actions you take to achieve a result.

• The process takes two weeks.
• We followed the same process each time.
• What steps are involved in the hiring process?

How to use it: the process of doing something (She explained the process of applying for a visa.)

Similar words: procedure, method

Common phrases: application process, decision process, start the process

A series of events or changes that leads to a result.

• Healing is a slow process.
• The process began with a small change.
• Natural processes gradually break down the fallen leaves.

How to use it: the process of something (We studied the process of language development.)

Common phrases: natural process, healing process, gradual process

A program or task that a computer is running.

• This process uses too much memory.
• Several processes are running in the background.
• Can you stop the process without restarting the computer?

Similar words: task

Common phrases: background process, active process, process runs

A part that sticks out from a bone or other body tissue.

• This process projects from the bone.
• A muscle attaches to the bony process.
• The scan showed a fracture of the spinous process.

Similar words: projection

Common phrases: bony process, spinous process, xiphoid process

To deal with something by following a set of steps.

• We process orders every morning.
• The office processed my application in two days.
• Has your refund been processed yet?

Similar words: handle, deal with

Common phrases: process an application, process an order, process a payment

To treat a natural material so that people can use or sell it.

• This factory processes milk.
• The beans are processed before they reach the shops.
• They process crude oil into fuel.

How to use it: process something into something (The factory processes sugar cane into sugar.)

Similar words: treat, refine

Common phrases: process raw materials, process food, process crude oil

To use a computer to organize, change, or work with information.

• The software processes images.
• We processed the survey data yesterday.
• This computer can process millions of records each minute.

Similar words: handle, compute

Common phrases: process data, process information, process a signal