1. A procedure that appears to be one thing but may actually be something else; a seemingly legitimate process that may mask a different underlying purpose or intent
The company used an ostensible procedure of reviewing applications, but the real decision had already been made.
A empresa usou um procedimento aparente de revisão de candidaturas, mas a decisão real já havia sido tomada.
2. A formally stated or officially presented method of operation that serves as a cover for actual intentions
Under the ostensible procedure of quality control, management was actually monitoring employee communications.
Sob o procedimento aparente de controle de qualidade, a gestão estava na verdade monitorando as comunicações dos funcionários.