practice

noun

UK /ˈpræktɪs/

Word Forms

singular	practice
plural	practices

1
countable/uncountable occasions when you do something in order to become better at it, or the time that you spend doing this
Don’t worry if you can’t manage it first time. It’ll come with practice.
Waylans broke his wrist during practice and will be unable to bowl in tomorrow’s game.
You’ll have to turn up for all the practices if you want to play in the concert.
Synonyms and related words
Practice and practising doing something
practice
practise
walk through
2
uncountable the actual performance of an activity in a real situation
trends in educational theory and practice
put something into practice:
We urge you to put the committee’s recommendations into practice.
Synonyms and related words
The process of performing an action
action
execution
discharge
3
countable/uncountable a way of doing something, especially as a result of habit, custom, or tradition
It is good practice to check your work before handing it in.
unfair billing practices
the practice of something:
the practice of discrimination against older people in the workplace
common/standard/normal practice:
Bribery is common practice in many countries.
Synonyms and related words
Customs and traditions
custom
tradition
practice
1. 3a
  uncountable legalthe established methods for dealing with cases in court
  Synonyms and related words
  Court cases and legal processes
  action
  admit
  advocacy
4
countable the business of a doctor, lawyer, or other professional person
a medical/legal/dental/veterinary practice
Synonyms and related words
Specific types of business
ALMO
authenticator
automaker
1. 4a
  uncountable the work of a doctor, lawyer, or other professional person
  the practice of medicine/law/dentistry
  Synonyms and related words
  The work or job of a doctor or nurse
  admit
  bedside manner
  be on call

phrases

be in practice

be out of practice

in practice

practice makes perfect

practice

UK /ˈpræktɪs/

the American spelling of practise

Synonyms and related words

Practice and practising doing something

practice

practise

walk through

View the pronunciation for practice.

practice

noun

US /ˈpræktɪs/

Word Forms

singular	practice
plural	practices

1
countable/uncountable occasions when you do something in order to become better at it, or the time that you spend doing this
You will become a faster typist with practice.
Waylans broke his wrist during practice and will be unable to pitch in tomorrow’s game.
You’ll have to come to all the practices if you want to play in the concert.
Synonyms and related words
Practice and practicing doing something
practice
walk through
brush up
2
uncountable the actual performance of an activity in a real situation
trends in educational theory and practice
put something into practice:
We urge you to put the committee’s recommendations into practice.
Synonyms and related words
The process of performing an action
action
execution
conduct
3
countable/uncountable a way of doing something, especially as a result of habit, custom, or tradition
It is good practice to check your work before handing it in.
unfair billing practices
the practice of something:
the practice of discrimination against older people in the workplace
common/standard/normal practice:
Bribery is common practice in many countries.
Synonyms and related words
Customs and traditions
custom
tradition
practice
1. 3a
  uncountable legalthe established methods for dealing with cases in court
  Synonyms and related words
  Court cases and legal processes
  action
  advocacy
  appeal
4
countable the business of a doctor, lawyer, or other professional person
a medical/legal/dental/veterinary practice
Synonyms and related words
Specific types of business
ALMO
authenticator
automaker
1. 4a
  uncountable the work of a doctor, lawyer, or other professional person
  the practice of medicine/law/dentistry
  Synonyms and related words
  The work or job of a doctor or nurse
  admit
  bedside manner
  be on call

phrases

be in practice

be out of practice

in practice

practice makes perfect

practice

verb

US /ˈpræktɪs/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	practice
he/she/it	practices
present participle	practicing
past tense	practiced
past participle	practiced

1
intransitive/transitive to repeat an activity regularly so that you become better at it
How many hours a day do you practice the piano?
practice doing something:
Practice putting up your tent in the yard a few times before going camping.
practice for something:
I’ve been practicing hard for the recital for months.
practice something on someone:
Can I practice my Spanish on you?
practice hard (=practice a lot):
Mike’s been practicing hard for his performance in June.
Synonyms and related words
To do something again, or to start again
come back to
replay
repeat
2
transitive to do something regularly, especially as a habit, custom, or tradition
The early settlers seem to have practiced farming as well as hunting and fishing.
Synonyms and related words
Customs and traditions
custom
tradition
practice
3
transitive to perform the activities and duties of your religion
Emperor Constantine gave the Christians the right to practice their religion openly.
Synonyms and related words
To have religious beliefs
believe
follow
practice
4
intransitive/transitive to work in a particular profession, especially in the medical or legal profession
She lives in Seattle, where she practices law.
He completed his medical training but has never practiced.
Synonyms and related words
The work or job of a doctor or nurse
admit
bedside manner
be on call

phrases

practice what you preach

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practice

practice

practice