<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>a systematic series of actions directed to some end: to devise a process for homogenizing milk.</li><li>Synonyms: operation</li><li>a continuous action, operation, or series of changes taking place in a definite manner: the process of decay.</li><li>Law: the summons, mandate, or writ by which a defendant or thing is brought before court for litigation.</li><li>the whole course of the proceedings in an action at law.</li><li>Photography: photomechanical or photoengraving methods collectively.</li><li>Biology, Anatomy: a natural outgrowth, projection, or appendage: a process of a bone.</li><li>the action of going forward or on.</li><li>the condition of being carried on.</li><li>course or lapse, as of time.</li><li>conk 4 (defs 1, 2).</li></ul><p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>(used with object) to treat or prepare by some particular series of actions, as in manufacturing.</li><li>to handle (papers, records, etc.) by systematically organizing them, recording or making notations on them, following up with appropriate action, or the like: to process mail.</li><li>to mentally or emotionally deal with and make sense of: Cognitive therapy can be helpful in processing traumatic events and experiences.</li><li>The disease affects the brain's ability to process bodily sensations.</li><li>to require (someone) to answer questionnaires, perform various tasks, and sometimes to undergo physical and aptitude classification examinations before the beginning or termination of a period of service: The army processes all personnel entering or leaving the service.</li><li>to convert (an agricultural commodity) into marketable form by a special series of steps, as pasteurization.</li><li>to institute a legal process against; prosecute.</li><li>to serve a process or summons on.</li><li>Computers: to carry out operations on (data or programs).</li></ul><p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>(used without object) to deal with something mentally or emotionally and make sense of it: That movie completely blew me away—I’m still processing a week later.</li><li>to undergo administrative activities involved in hiring or firing personnel, organizing and reviewing information to make a decision, etc.: The recruits are expected to process in four days.</li><li>Your application for admission is still processing, but you should hear from us shortly.</li></ul><p><strong>Adjective</strong></p><ul><li>prepared or modified by an artificial process or procedure: process cheese.</li><li>noting, pertaining to, or involving photomechanical or photoengraving methods: a process print.</li><li>Informal: of or relating to hair that has been conked, or chemically straightened.</li><li>Movies: created by or used in process cinematography: a moving background on a process screen.</li></ul>