Phrase guide

standard operating procedure

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A standardized form of some task or process (that is, a standardized way of doing it); the formalised set of step-by-step instructions for completing such a task or process, mandated to ensure consistency, efficiency, and (especially) quality, safety, and (often) regulatory compliance.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Qualifier: particularly manufacturing

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: SOP

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

a prescribed procedure to be followed routinely

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • rote memorization has been the educator's standard operating procedure for centuries

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: standing operating procedure, SOP, standard procedure

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: operating procedure

Narrower terms: lockstep

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: pysyväisohje — Translations
  • Finnish: menettelytapaohje — Translations
  • Finnish: vakiotoimintamenettely — Translations
  • French: procédure opérationnelle standardisée — Translations
  • Polish: standardowa procedura operacyjna — Translations