in effect

Idioms  

1. For all practical purposes, as in This testimony in effect contradicted her earlier statement . [Late 1500s]

2. In or into operation, as in This law will be in effect in January . Related phrases include go into effect and take effect , which mean “become operative,” as in This law goes into effect January 1 , or It takes effect January 1 . Similarly, put into effect means “make operative,” as in When will the judge's ruling be put into effect? [Late 1700s] Also see in force , def. 2.

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

in effect

Health officials raced to clarify Monday that strong epidemiological evidence continued to point to Taylor Farms as the source of the outbreak, and that the company’s recall remained in effect.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026

According to the complaint, the original agreement to name the field “and any expansion of it” after Kennedy was intended to remain in effect “for the life of the field.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

Tropical storm warnings -- as well as lower-grade watches -- were in effect in parts of Florida and Louisiana.

From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026

You have, in effect, answered your own question.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 21, 2026

A foot soldier’s incentive was to make a name for himself; J. T.’s incentive was, in effect, to keep the foot soldiers from doing so.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt