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

Evacuation orders are in effect for an area north of Highway 74, south of Ethanac Road and east of El Toro Road, while an evacuation warning is in effect in adjacent areas.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

That combination of elevated prices and slowing growth is what economists broadly refer to as stagflation, but there’s no universally agreed upon threshold for when it’s in effect.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

Thames Water is, in effect, controlled by a majority of its lenders who are owed nearly £18bn.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Deductions for seniors, tips, overtime and car-loan interest on American-assembled cars are in effect until 2028.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

Lon Teter arrived in the final month to serve as, in effect, production foreman—getting an immense and complicated body of work checked, formatted, and into the paper on time.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times