practical

adjective prac·ti·cal \ ˈprak-ti-kəl \

|Updated on: 13 Jul 2018

Examples: practical in a Sentence

Definition of practical

1 a : of, relating to, or manifested in practice or action : not theoretical or ideal

a practical question

for all practical purposes

b : 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

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

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practicality

play \ˌprak-ti-ˈka-lə-tē\ noun

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practicalness

play \ˈprak-ti-kəl-nəs\ noun

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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

In practical terms, Kansas may not begin collecting from online sales for another year, according to Rep. Steven Johnson, an Assaria Republican who chairs the House tax committee.

— jonathan shorman and allison kite, kansascity, "Online shopping may eventually cost more. But it could help Kansas, Missouri," 22 June 2018
Get our daily newsletter In practical terms, measures that increase the distance between a suicidal thought and access to lethal means can make a big difference.

— The Economist, "Suicide is born of despair. Suicide prevention is far from hopeless," 14 June 2018
In practical terms, that means a patient who gets dry needling as part of a larger physical therapy visit may pay nothing or just a co-pay.

— beth teitell, BostonGlobe.com, "Physical therapists vs. Acupuncturists: Who’s sticking it to whom?," 9 June 2018
What that means in practical terms is that voters see the 2018 election as a referendum on Trump -- and the candidates in his party.

— chris cillizza, CNN, "Donald Trump isn't on the 2018 ballot. Except, he sort of is.," 7 June 2018
So how does this translate for you in practical terms as a homebuyer thinking about applying for a mortgage this summer?

— kenneth r. harney, courant.com, "As Lender Competition Grows, Homebuyers Can Reap Bargains," 7 June 2018
So how does this translate for you in practical terms as a homebuyer thinking about applying for a mortgage this summer?

— kenneth r. harney, chicagotribune.com, "Mortgage lenders are struggling this year. Homebuyers may reap bargains.," 5 June 2018
So how does this translate for you in practical terms as a homebuyer thinking about applying for a mortgage this summer?

— kenneth r. harney, miamiherald, "Homebuyers can reap bargains thanks to growing lender competition," 4 June 2018
In practical terms, Trump’s statement claims the right to commit federal crimes and then immunize himself from the consequences.

— matt ford, The New Republic, "Trump says he can commit federal crimes and get away with it.," 4 June 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year