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Showing results for practical effect. Search instead for practical-effects.

practical effect

American  
[prak-ti-kuhl i-fekt] / ˈpræk tɪ kəl ɪˈfɛkt /

noun

Movies, Television.
  1. Usually practical effects a special effect that is created live on the set of a film, using real-world objects.


Etymology

Origin of practical effect

First recorded in 1980–85

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.

See Examples For:

That is partly because, until now, they have had no practical effect - before Burnham, there has not been a Catholic or Jewish prime minister.

From BBC Sep. 15, 2026

It wasn’t immediately clear what practical effect the revocation—which generally bars a visa holder from entering or re-entering the U.S.—would have on the ambassador, who is already in Washington.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 4, 2026

"The practical effect of this lawsuit is to shield those dominant streaming platforms like Netflix and technology companies from much needed competition," a Paramount spokesperson said.

From Barron's Jul. 13, 2026

The immediate practical effect is clear: The EAC cannot act.

From Salon Jul. 11, 2026

I reply that there is great use and practical effect in it too.

From Presidential Candidates: containing Sketches, Biographical, Personal and Political, of Prominent Candidates for the Presidency in 1860 by D. W. Bartlett

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