standard operating procedure

noun

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.

Similar
SOPstanding operating procedurestandard procedure
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Meanings

nounstandard operating procedure (countable and uncountable, plural standard operating procedures)

plural standard operating procedures

  1. countableuncountableparticularly manufacturingA 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.

    Synonyms: SOP

Synonyms & antonyms

nounA 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.

Similar
SOP

More synonyms by meaning

nouna prescribed procedure to be followed routinely

Similar
standing operating procedureSOPstandard procedure
Broader
operating procedure
Also see
sogsop

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Translations

Finnish pysyväisohje, menettelytapaohje
  • pysyväisohjeTranslations
  • menettelytapaohjeTranslations
  • vakiotoimintamenettelyTranslations
French procédure opérationnelle standardisée
  • procédure opérationnelle standardiséeTranslations
Polish standardowa procedura operacyjna
  • standardowa procedura operacyjnaTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

standard operating procedure. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/standard%20operating%20procedure

MLA

“standard operating procedure.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/standard%20operating%20procedure. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “standard operating procedure,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/standard%20operating%20procedure.

Source: standard operating procedure on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.