noun

protocol

PROH-tuh-kahl/ˈprəʊtəkɑːl/

An agreed set of rules governing an interaction or procedure.

The traveler follows screening protocol by placing belongings in separate trays.

A traveler follows the prescribed screening procedure at an airport checkpoint: shoes, laptop and belongings are placed separately in inspection trays while a uniformed officer directs him through the screening gate.

Etymology

“First” and “glue” describe the first sheet glued onto a manuscript. The meaning moved from a document or official record to diplomatic etiquette, then to rules governing proper procedure.

In context

Medality (formerly MRI Online)57:58

we'd like to do a dementia protocol on all of these patients so again the mandatory sequence we're just going to do a routine brain

Updates in the Landscape of Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Imaging, Radiology Conference w/ Dr. Bash

More examples

Diplomatic protocol determines where each guest sits.
Both computers use the same protocol to exchange data.
Employees review the safety protocols before entering the laboratory.

Forms

protocol · protocols

Similar words

procedure: Emphasizes the steps to follow rather than governing rules.
standard: Sets shared requirements, not necessarily rules for an interaction.
etiquette: Focuses on socially proper behavior rather than technical procedures.