verb
proceed
pruh-SEED
verb
1
To move forward or continue on, especially after a pause.
"Please proceed to gate 12 for boarding."
"Once the paperwork was signed, they proceeded with the sale."
2
To take legal action against someone.
"The bank decided to proceed against the company for unpaid debts."
How to Use Proceed
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo carry on or move ahead with something, often after a stop or a decision.
Common mistake
Proceed is more formal than "go ahead" or "continue" — it suits instructions, ceremonies, and legal or official contexts.
Common pairings
proceed with caution
proceed to the next stage
proceed against someone
Word Forms
proceeded past tense, proceeds singular
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Please _____ to gate 12 for boarding.
Etymology
From Old French proceder, from Latin prōcēdō, "to go forward" — from prō ("forth") + cēdō ("to go").