Definition of process

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proc·ess¹    (prss, prss) KEY 

NOUN:
pl. proc·ess·es  (prssz, prss-, prs-sz, prs-) KEY 

1. A series of actions, changes, or functions bringing about a result: the process of digestion; the process of obtaining a driver's license.
2. A series of operations performed in the making or treatment of a product: a manufacturing process; leather dyed during the tanning process.
3. Progress; passage: the process of time; events now in process.
4. Law The entire course of a judicial proceeding.
5. Law
   1. A summons or writ ordering a defendant to appear in court.
   2. The total quantity of summonses or writs issued in a particular proceeding.
6. Biology An outgrowth of tissue; a projecting part: a bony process.
7. Any of various photomechanical or photoengraving methods.
8. Computer Science
   1. A running software program or other computing operation.
   2. A part of a running software program or other computing operation that does a single task.
9. See conk³.

TRANSITIVE VERB:
proc·essed, proc·ess·ing, proc·ess·es

1. To put through the steps of a prescribed procedure: processing newly arrived immigrants; process an order.
2. To prepare, treat, or convert by subjecting to a special process: process ore to obtain minerals.
3. Law
   1. To serve with a summons or writ.
   2. To institute legal proceedings against; prosecute.
4. Computer Science To perform operations on (data).
5. To gain an understanding or acceptance of; come to terms with: processed the traumatic event in therapy.
6. To straighten (hair) by a chemical process; conk.

ADJECTIVE:

1. Prepared or converted by a special process: process cheese.
2. Made by or used in any of several photomechanical or photoengraving processes: a process print.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English proces, from Old French, development, from Latin prcessus, from past participle of prcdere, to advance ; see proceed
Usage Note:
In recent years there has been a tendency to pronounce the plural ending -es of processes as (-z), perhaps by analogy with words of Greek origin such as analysis and neurosis. But process is not of Greek origin, and there is no etymological justification for this pronunciation of its plural. However, because this pronunciation is not uncommon even in educated speech, it is generally considered an acceptable variant, although it still strikes some listeners as a bungled affectation. In a recent survey 79 percent of the Usage Panel preferred the standard pronunciation (-z) for the plural ending -es and 15 percent preferred the pronunciation (-z).·Although the pronunciation for process with a long (o), (prss), is more usual in British English, it is an acceptable variant in American English.