practicality

American  

[prak-ti-kal-i-tee] / ˌpræk tɪˈkæl ɪ ti /

Rarely practicalness

noun

plural

practicalities

1. the quality of being adapted or designed for actual use; usefulness or convenience.

   Your home furniture choices should be based on practicality, durability, and beauty.

2. interest in or inclination toward actual work or activity as opposed to theories or ideas.

   My mother was an entrepreneur whose tremendous vision, teamed with her practicality, “moved mountains.”

3. a detail or consideration involved in putting something into action.

   She talked with culinary students about their dreams as well as the practicalities of launching a food business.

4. the constraints or demands of real life or actual implementation.

   Economy and practicality dictate that we can't save every green space from development.

5. the quality or fact of relating to actual activity, especially ordinary or everyday activity.

   I appreciate the real-world practicality of the question, “What does it mean to be a father?”

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Other Word Forms

• nonpracticality noun

Etymology

Origin of practicality

practical ( def. ) + -ity ( def. )

Example Sentences

But critics have questioned both the practicality and cost of the plan, noting that the island's infrastructure would likely require extensive reconstruction.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

In evaluating Bell Labs’ success, this may perhaps the most important takeaway to any new company focused on innovation: The research staff knew they were working within the realm of business and practicality.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

"Parents want decisive and evidence-based measures to protect children online and these tests will provide welcome insights into the practicality and feasibility of further interventions," said its chief executive Andy Burrows.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

What I didn’t think about was the complete lack of practicality.

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2026

But the problem with being an official prison chaplain, it seemed to me, was that one had to accept the values of the system and could not, as a matter of practicality, question anything.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

Related Words

• common-sense