practice

Pluralpractices (some meanings)

Formspractices, practicing, practiced

1. 1
   routinenoununcountable

   Something people usually do as a habit or custom, or as part of their religion.

   It was their practice to eat dinner together every evening.

   Shaking hands is a common practice when people first meet.

   UsageSay common practice or standard practice.

   Similarcustom, habit, convention, procedure, tradition

   Note
2. 2
   scheduled sessionnoununcountable

   Doing something again and again to get better at it, or a time set aside to do this.

   Like a rehearsal before the real show.

   The whole team showed up for practice on Saturday morning.

   She was late to soccer practice again.

   UsageSay go to practice or band practice, without a.

   Similartraining, rehearsal, drill, exercise

   Note
3. 3
   verbtransitive

   To do something many times so you get better at it, or to make others do this.

   I practice the piano for an hour after school.

   She practiced her lines every night before the school play.

   UsageSay practice playing, with -ing. British writers spell the verb practise.

   Similarrehearse, drill, train

4. 4
   noununcountable

   What really happens when an idea is used, not just the idea by itself.

   Like the difference between reading about swimming and actually getting in the water.

   The plan looked great on paper, but in practice it failed.

   In practice, the new rule turned out to be hard to follow.

   UsageSay in practice for what really happens.

   Similarreality, application, action, operation, execution

   Oppositetheory

5. 5
   nouncountable

   A business or office where a doctor, lawyer, or other professional works.

   She opened her own practice in the city center.

   The dental practice has three offices around town.

   Similarfirm, office, business, clinic, surgery

6. 6
   work (profession)verbtransitive

   To work in a profession, especially as a lawyer, doctor, or artist.

   Her uncle practices medicine in a small town.

   He wants to practice law after he finishes law school.

   Note
7. 7
   verbtransitive

   To do or follow something regularly, as a habit or as part of your way of life.

   Her family practices Buddhism and visits the temple every week.

   We try to practice good habits, like going to bed early.

   UsageSay practice a religion or a custom.

   Similarobserve, follow, perform

   Note
8. 8
   noununcountable

   The work someone does over time in a job like medicine or art.

   She left the practice of law to become a teacher.

   His art practice focused on large outdoor sculptures.

   UsageSay the practice of medicine.

   Similarwork, pursuit

   Note
9. 9
   verbtransitive

   To act on an idea or belief, or to show a quality such as honesty or cruelty in what you do.

   My grandmother always practiced what she preached.

   It is easy to give advice but much harder to practice it.

   UsageSay practice what you preach: do what you tell others to do.

   Similarexercise, apply, follow

   Note

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