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

But television history is littered with fine ideas that don’t pan out in practice.

From Salon ● Sep. 15, 2026

Although Amodei in his post proposed a three-point plan that included independent monitoring of AI models as they are developed, industry-wide regulation and global regulation, some observers question how this would work in practice.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

The researchers used Bangladesh to demonstrate how their framework could work in practice.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 9, 2026

Cal Fire’s Kevin Conway believes that if the bill becomes law, it will, in practice, limit funding.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026

JB sets a wicked pick for me just like Coach showed us in practice, And I get double-teamed on the roll just like we expect.

From "The Crossover" by Kwame Alexander