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

We’re going to place an emphasis on every drill in practice.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

If Step 3’s pretextual jury-striking analysis can be skipped in practice and insulated on review, Batson’s promise becomes thinner still.

From Slate • Apr. 10, 2026

How the digital-currency tolls on oil tankers would work in practice is unclear, crypto analysts said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

It points to histories of performance where gender was fluid in practice, if not always in name.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

In theory, this sounded simple; in practice, it was tricky.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee