prac·ti·cal
ˈprak-ti-kəl 
1
2
: actively engaged in some course of action or occupation
a practical farmer
3
: capable of being put to use or account : useful
he had a practical knowledge of French
4
a
: disposed to action as opposed to speculation or abstraction
b(1)
: qualified by practice or practical training
a good practical mechanic
(2)
: designed to supplement theoretical training by experience
5
: concerned with voluntary action and ethical decisions
practical reason
: an examination requiring demonstration of some practical skill
a zoology practical
Examples of practical in a Sentence
Adjective
We can speculate about the future, but on a more practical level, we have to admit that we simply don't know what will happen.
An engineer will address the design's practical problems.
She has a lot of practical experience in dealing with these kinds of problems.
practical solutions to complicated problems
He thinks wind can be a practical source of renewable energy.
The machine is too big to be practical for most private homes.
The shoes are nice, but they're not very practical.
The book is a practical guide to car care.
He gave me some practical advice on finding a job.
Noun
We have our zoology practicals next week.
Recent Examples on the Web
Stephen Marche, The Atlantic, 1 July 2025
Sierra Designs recently updated their award-winning Mobile Mummy, a practical and comfortable wearable sleeping bag originally released in 2014.
—Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 24 Feb. 2025
For most, the practical trumped the philosophical on a question of public health.
—Susan Page, USA TODAY, 22 Aug. 2021
See All Example Sentences for practical
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Adjective
Today’s Canadian nationalism, by contrast, arises from darker and more practical concerns.
—Stephen Marche, The Atlantic, 1 July 2025
Sierra Designs recently updated their award-winning Mobile Mummy, a practical and comfortable wearable sleeping bag originally released in 2014.
—Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
As opposed to the beginning of the film, where the night is mainly lit with practicals, here the moonlight quickly becomes the only source that motivates the lighting.
—Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 24 Feb. 2025
For most, the practical trumped the philosophical on a question of public health.
—Susan Page, USA TODAY, 22 Aug. 2021
See All Example Sentences for practical
Cite this Entry
“Practical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/practical. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
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