in effect
Idioms-
For all practical purposes, as in This testimony in effect contradicted her earlier statement . [Late 1500s]
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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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A heat advisory is in effect for many areas until 8 p.m.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 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 tropical storm watch is in effect for Ochlockonee River, Florida, westward to the Jefferson/Plaquemines Parish border in Louisiana," forecasters said.
From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026
Though with Black Protocol in effect there wasn’t much she could do about it.
From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
