From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishproceedpro‧ceed /prəˈsiːd/ ●●○ S3 W3 AWL verb [intransitive] 1 CONTINUE/NOT STOP formal to continue to do something that has already been planned or startedproceed with The government was determined to proceed with the election. Before proceeding further, we must define our terms.RegisterIn everyday English, people usually say go ahead rather than proceed:They decided to go ahead with the project.2 formal to continue Work is proceeding according to plan.3 → proceed to do something4 [always +adv/preposition] formalGO to move in a particular directionproceed to/towards/into etc Passengers for Miami should proceed to gate 25. ► Do not confuse with precede (=happen before or go before): the period of illness that preceded his death → proceed against somebody → proceed from something → proceed to something→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
proceed• Contract drafting and negotiation Contract drafting can generally proceed concurrently with due diligence.• I intended to proceed just as we had discussed.• According to the newspaper the negotiations are proceeding smoothly.• Contract negotiations are proceeding smoothly.• The silicon ingots are highly perfect single crystals and on the atomic scale the cutting has to proceed through breaking bonds.• And he proceeded to do just that, quite convincingly.• The abrasive new general brushed aside Stirling's request and proceeded to give him a lecture.• Unfortunately, they allowed his notice to expire without further action and proceeded to recruit new employees.• Work on the new tunnel is proceeding very well.• They are anxious to proceed with the program and reap the economic payoffs it promises on both sides of the border.proceed with• Russia decided to proceed with economic reforms.proceed to/towards/into etc• Both historians proceed to a greater or lesser extent by way of discussion of great photographers.• She was beginning to have dreams of her own and hers would proceed to action.• And he proceeded to do just that, quite convincingly.• We now proceed to examine some simple cases.• Then he proceeded to hit her again.• The Wildcats, however, proceeded to show some zip of their own.• She proceeded to tell him a joke so corny that Uncle Billy would have flatly refused it for his own collection.• Meanwhile, rehearsals for Blithe Spirit were proceeding to their second week with me sitting on this bombshell.From Longman Business Dictionaryproceedpro‧ceed /prəˈsiːd/ verb [intransitive] formal to continue to do something that has been startedThe discussions between the two firms are proceeding slowly but satisfactorily.In order to proceed, Millicom needs a radio frequency to test the network.proceed withThe banks are proceeding with preparations for the merger. → proceed against somebody → proceed to something→ See Verb tableOrigin proceed (1300-1400) Old French proceder, from Latin procedere “to go forward” 