Definition of practical
1a : of, relating to, or manifested in practice or action : not theoretical or ideal a practical question for all practical purposesb : being such in practice or effect : virtual a practical failure
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
4a : disposed to action as opposed to speculation or abstractionb (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
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Examples of practical in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples of practical from the Web
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While a streetcar loop will likely goose property values even more and spur additional development, its use as a practical method of transportation has been a nagging question.
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Today’s meeting included some practical discussion of how gene drive might be contained.
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The power to translate its ideological principles into practical government is utterly beyond its reach.
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Besides the mental challenges, the Longhorns also face practical ones.
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Both of those are quite practical, but driver fatigue will likely only be useful for those who frequently spend more than three or four hours in the car at one time.
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There are practical reasons for Stanley Johnson’s off-season change of scenery.
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Participant will share experiences and each of the sessions will draw on their personal and practical knowledge and understanding.
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Mrs. Jha – clearly more practical (and nervous) – initially eschews the new car for ordinary taxis, argues against the installation of bathtubs as environmentally unsound, and worries about the vast changes ahead.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'practical.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of practical
Middle English, from Late Latin practicus, from Greek praktikos, from prassein to pass over, fare, do; akin to Greek peran to pass through — more at fare
practical
Definition of practical
: an examination requiring demonstration of some practical skill a zoology practical
Examples of practical in a Sentence
We have our zoology practicals next week.
First Known Use of practical
1925
PRACTICAL Defined for English Language Learners
practical
playDefinition of practical for English Language Learners
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: relating to what is real rather than to what is possible or imagined
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: likely to succeed and reasonable to do or use
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: appropriate or suited for actual use
practical
Definition of practical for English Language Learners
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: an examination in which students have to do or make something to show what they have learned
PRACTICAL Defined for Kids
practical
playDefinition of practical for Students
1 : of or relating to real action rather than ideas or thought practical matters
2 : capable of being put to use : reasonable to do or use practical advice Those shoes are nice, but these are more practical.
3 : tending to act according to reason and logic Beezus, always practical, changed her mind. “It wouldn't work.” — Beverly Cleary, Ramona Quimby a practical person
Learn More about practical
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See words that rhyme with practical Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for practical Spanish Central: Translation of practical Nglish: Translation of practical for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of practical for Arabic speakers
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