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

Accordingly, he discerns that much of what passes for “AI alignment” is, in practice, a small number of San Francisco labs encoding their idiosyncratic values into systems that now shape billions of lives.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

"A formal hierarchy still remains in Tehran, but in practice, power and authority are likely exercised in a more fragmented and diffuse manner," said Sabet.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

Plum missed her fourth consecutive game since injuring her right ankle in practice.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

But in practice, the movement’s definitions of good and how to maximize it are at times controversial.

From Slate • Jun. 2, 2026

Total, unequivocal sterilization is extremely difficult to achieve in practice and is almost impossible to verify afterward.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston