process
/ˈprəʊ.ses/ (bre, ipa) · [prˈɑsˌɛs] /ˈprɑː.ses/ (ame, ipa) · [prˈɑsˌɛs] /ˈprä-ˌses ˈprō-, -səs/ (ame, mw)
process — noun
- processsingular
- processesplural
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.
Learning a new language is a slow process that requires daily practice.
The school board is reviewing the process for selecting new textbooks.
文法句型
process of + noun / gerund
process for + noun / gerund
用法筆記
Often followed by 'of' plus a gerund (e.g., 'the process of applying'). In business contexts, 'process for' is also common.
常見錯誤
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.
Digestion is a natural process that breaks down food into nutrients your body can use.
- 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
文法句型
natural process
process of + noun / gerund
用法筆記
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.
Femi studied the chemical process that turns cocoa beans into chocolate powder.
文法句型
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.
文法句型
process of + body part
用法筆記
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
- processpresent simple I / you / we / they
- processes3rd person singular
- processing-ing form
- processedpast simple
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.
Once the HR department processes your paperwork, you will receive an employee ID card.
The town hall processes building permits faster when applications are submitted online.
文法句型
process + noun phrase (application, claim, request)
用法筆記
Object is usually a type of official document or request: application, claim, order, payment, permit, visa.
常見錯誤
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.
Jude wrote a script to process the survey data and generate charts automatically.
文法句型
process + noun phrase (data, information, images)
用法筆記
Subject is usually a computer, device, or software. Human subjects can use this sense metaphorically ('my brain is still processing that news').
常見錯誤
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.
The bakery processes fresh fruits into jams and fillings for its pastries.
- 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
文法句型
process + noun phrase (food, waste, oil, metal)
用法筆記
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.
Talia told her friend she needed time to process before making any big decisions.
- 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
文法句型
process + noun phrase (grief, shock, trauma, news)
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
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.
The shop processes disposable cameras for customers who still use film.
文法句型
process + noun phrase (film, negatives, photos)
用法筆記
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.
The bride and her father processed arm in arm toward the altar.
文法句型
process + adverb / prepositional phrase
用法筆記
This is a formal or literary verb, almost always intransitive. It typically describes ceremonial movement in weddings, graduations, or religious services.