in practice

phrase

—used to say what is actually done or what the actual effect or result of something is
The software is designed to block pornographic websites, but in practice, it blocks many other sites as well.
In actual practice, people sometimes forget to take their medication.

Examples of in practice in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As Jackson alluded to, the biggest change in practice – outside the lack of ones or sevens – was the flow. — Miami Herald, 30 July 2026 Just like your coach in middle school would do if a player turned the ball over in practice, Mafah was subbed out. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026 There were also two other injury scares in practice that turned out to simply be blips in the workout. — Charlotte Observer, 29 July 2026 This is what the executive credibility gap looks like in practice. — Dmitriy Stepanov, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for in practice

Rhymes for in practice

See All Rhymes for in practice

Browse Nearby Words

inpouring
in practice
in praesenti
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“In practice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20practice. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All