practice

plural practices · alternative obsolete practise

1. uncountableusuallyRepetition of an activity to improve a skill.

   He will need lots of practice with the lines before he performs them.

   1 more example

   Near-synonyms: (sometimes synonymous) training, rehearsing, rehearsal, dry run, trial, workout

   Synonyms: practicing, drill, exercise, training, rehearsing, rehearsal, dry run, trial

   1. uncountableusuallyAn organized event for the purpose of performing such repetition.

      I have choir practice every Sunday after church.

      1 more example

      Being on a team is hard: you're always having to go to practice while everyone else is taking it easy.

      Synonyms: practicing, drill, exercise, training, rehearsing, rehearsal, dry run, trial

   2. uncountableusuallyThe state of being proficient due to repetition of a skill.

      I was rusty, but after a few months, I got back into practice.

      Synonyms: practicing, drill, exercise, training, rehearsing, rehearsal, dry run, trial

2. especiallyuncountableusuallyartThe ongoing pursuit of a craft or profession, particularly in medicine or the fine arts.

   Which is the most demanding? I think that my practice as an artist is 'stronger' because it is the practice that best fuels and balances myself and that generates new knowledge for my other work as both arts educator and creative arts therapist.

   2016, Raphael Vella, Artist-Teachers in Context: International Dialogues, Springer, →ISBN, page 53

   1. especiallyuncountableusuallyartSkilful or artful management; dexterity in contrivance or the use of means; stratagem; artifice.

      He sought to have that by practice which he could not by prayer.

      The New Arcadia

      a. 1587, Philippe Sidnei [i.e., Philip Sidney], “(please specify the folio)”, in [Fulke Greville; Matthew Gwinne; John Florio], editors, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia [The New Arcadia], London: […] [John Windet] for William Ponsonbie, published 1590, →OCLC

   2. especiallyuncountableusuallyartAn easy and concise method of applying the rules of arithmetic to questions which occur in trade and business.
   3. especiallyuncountableusuallyartThe observance of religious duties that an spiritual institution requires of its members.
   4. especiallyuncountableusuallyartThe 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.

      This firm of solicitors is involved in family law practice.

   5. countableespeciallyusuallyartA place where a professional service is provided, such as a general practice.

      She ran a thriving medical practice.

      Synonyms: general practice

3. uncountableusuallyActual operation or experiment, in contrast to theory.

   That may work in theory, but will it work in practice?

   Antonyms: theory

   1. uncountableusuallyA customary action, habit, or behaviour; a manner or routine.

      It is good practice to check each door and window before leaving.

      3 more examples

      It is the usual practice of employees there to wear neckties only when meeting with customers.

      As a result, New Zealand locomotive design is a curious blend of English and American practice; certainly the American influence has always been much stronger than in Australia.

      1954 August, J. B. Snell, “The New Zealand Government Railways—2”, in Railway Magazine, page 558

      The legislation also seeks to outlaw “balconing”, the practice of jumping into a swimming pool from a hotel balcony that kills several people each year. In future, hotels will have to evict anyone practising balconing or encouraging others to do so.

      2020 January 17, Stephen Burgen, “Balearic islands pass bill targeting boozy Brits abroad”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 20 Mar 2020

      Synonyms: custom, habit, pattern, routine, wont, wone · Antonyms: theory

present singular third person practices · participle present practicing · participle past practiced · past practiced

1. USalternativeAlternative spelling of practise.

   I have been a liberal housekeeper enough, but I shall not be ashamed to practice economy now.

   1814 May 9, [Jane Austen], chapter III, in Mansfield Park: […], volume I, London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, page 57

   1 more example

   The way Green practices witchcraft defies stereotypes of broomstick-wielding, cauldron-toting, pointy-hatted witches. He doesn’t belong to a coven. He’s not Wiccan or pagan, religions that are rooted in witchcraft. He has a few cats, though they’re better suited for snuggling than serving as helpful familiars.

   2024 October 26, Scottie Andrew, “Witches walk among us — but they’re not like the fictional ones you grew up with”, in CNN, archived from the original on 06 Jul 2025