in practice

Idioms  

1. Actually, in fact, especially as opposed to theoretically or in principle . For example, In practice this contraption seems to work, although no one knows how or why . [Second half of 1500s] Also see put into practice .

2. In the exercise of a particular profession, as in She's an obstetrician and has been in practice for at least ten years . [c. 1700]

3. In a state of being exercised so as to maintain one's skill, as in This trumpeter is always in practice . [Early 1600s] For an antonym, see out of practice .

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

in practice

No players can participate in practice until they are cleared with a physical.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2026

While “tradition” does not claim a fixed constitutional meaning, in practice the court looks to esoteric sources like Blackstone and old legal sources that are not easily accessed by laypeople.

From Slate ● Jul. 20, 2026

More importantly, how do lenders typically view a past bankruptcy in practice?

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 17, 2026

Replacing Messi as Argentina's designated penalty taker is far easier in theory than in practice.

From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026

It was better for me to think of competition as an extension of what I did in practice every day.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles