practice Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a customary way of operation or behavior
    pattern.
    • it is their practice to give annual raises
    • they changed their dietary pattern
  2. noun systematic training by multiple repetitions
    recitation; practice session; drill; exercise.
    • practice makes perfect
  3. noun translating an idea into action
    praxis.
    • a hard theory to put into practice
    • differences between theory and praxis of communism
  4. noun the exercise of a profession
    • the practice of the law
    • I took over his practice when he retired
  5. noun knowledge of how something is usually done
    • it is not the local practice to wear shorts to dinner
  6. verb carry out or practice; as of jobs and professions
    practise; exercise; do.
    • practice law
  7. verb learn by repetition
    practise; exercise; drill.
    • We drilled French verbs every day
    • Pianists practice scales
  8. verb engage in a rehearsal (of)
    practise; rehearse.
  9. verb avail oneself to
    apply; use.
    • apply a principle
    • practice a religion
    • use care when going down the stairs
    • use your common sense
    • practice non-violent resistance
  10. verb engage in or perform
    commit.
    • practice safe sex
    • commit a random act of kindness

WordNet

Prac"tice noun
Etymology
OE. praktike, practique, F. pratique, formerly also, practique, LL. practica, fr. Gr. , fr. practical. See Practical, and cf. Pratique, Pretty.
Definitions
  1. Frequently repeated or customary action; habitual performance; a succession of acts of a similar kind; usage; habit; custom; as, the practice of rising early; the practice of making regular entries of accounts; the practice of daily exercise. also commonly practise
    A heart . . . exercised with covetous practices. 2 Pet. ii. 14.
  2. Customary or constant use; state of being used.
    Obsolete words may be revived when they are more sounding or more significant than those in practice. Dryden.
  3. Skill or dexterity acquired by use; expertness. R. "His nice fence and his active practice." Shak.
  4. Actual performance; application of knowledge; -- opposed to theory.
    There are two functions of the soul, -- contemplation and practice. South.
    There is a distinction, but no opposition, between theory and practice; each, to a certain extent, supposes the other; theory is dependent on practice; practice must have preceded theory. Sir W. Hamilton.
  5. Systematic exercise for instruction or discipline; as, the troops are called out for practice; she neglected practice in music. practice makes perfect. MW10 2a.
  6. Application of science to the wants of men; the exercise of any profession; professional business; as, the practice of medicine or law; a large or lucrative practice.
    Practice is exercise of an art, or the application of a science in life, which application is itself an art. Sir W. Hamilton.
  7. Skillful or artful management; dexterity in contrivance or the use of means; art; stratagem; artifice; plot; -- usually in a bad sense. Obs. Bacon.
    He sought to have that by practice which he could not by prayer. Sir P. Sidney.
  8. (Math.) A easy and concise method of applying the rules of arithmetic to questions which occur in trade and business.
  9. (Law) The form, manner, and order of conducting and carrying on suits and prosecutions through their various stages, according to the principles of law and the rules laid down by the courts. Bouvier. Syn. -- Custom; usage; habit; manner.
Prac"tice transitive verb
Etymology
Often written practise, practised, practising.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Practiced ; present participle & verbal noun Practicing
Definitions
  1. To do or perform frequently, customarily, or habitually; to make a practice of; as, to practice gaming. "Incline not my heart . . . practice wicked works." also commonly practise Ps. cxli. 4.
  2. To exercise, or follow, as a profession, trade, art, etc., as, to practice law or medicine.
  3. To exercise one's self in, for instruction or improvement, or to acquire discipline or dexterity; as, to practice gunnery; to practice music.
  4. To put into practice; to carry out; to act upon; to commit; to execute; to do. "Aught but Talbot's shadow whereon to practice your severity." Shak.
    As this advice ye practice or neglect. Pope.
  5. To make use of; to employ. Obs.
    In malice to this good knight's wife, I practiced Ubaldo and Ricardo to corrupt her. Massinger.
  6. To teach or accustom by practice; to train.
    In church they are taught to love God; after church they are practiced to love their neighbor. Landor.
Prac"tice intransitive verb
Etymology
Often written practise.
Definitions
  1. To perform certain acts frequently or customarily, either for instruction, profit, or amusement; as, to practice with the broadsword or with the rifle; to practice on the piano. also commonly practise
  2. To learn by practice; to form a habit.
    They shall practice how to live secure. Milton.
    Practice first over yourself to reign. Waller.
  3. To try artifices or stratagems.
    He will practice against thee by poison. Shak.
  4. To apply theoretical science or knowledge, esp. by way of experiment; to exercise or pursue an employment or profession, esp. that of medicine or of law.
    [I am] little inclined to practice on others, and as little that others should practice on me. Sir W. Temple.

Webster 1913