What does practice mean?
Practice is a central English word for both an activity and its result. As a noun, it can mean repeated exercise aimed at improving a skill, such as musical or athletic practice. It can also mean the practical application of an idea, especially when contrasted with theory: in practice, a policy may work differently from the way it was planned. In professional contexts, legal practice, medical practice, and best practice refer to established ways of working within a field. As a verb, to practise something means to perform it regularly, or to put a method into action. The word is neutral in tone but often carries the implication of discipline, repetition, and gradual improvement. It is consequently useful whenever an idea concerns not only what people know, but also how they develop skill or turn knowledge into effective action.
Repeated exercise or training intended to develop skill; the application of knowledge or method; or an established professional or social way of doing something.
"Her practice was disciplined, patient, and remarkably effective."
The uncountable form is common for the activity of training, while the plural practices can refer to several customary methods or professional activities.
To perform an activity regularly in order to improve a skill, or to carry out or apply a method, principle, or way of working.
"The musicians practice together every evening before the concert."
The verb is often used with musical, athletic, linguistic, or professional activities; it can also mean to put a stated policy into action.
The standard plural is practices. In British English, practise is generally the verb form and practice the noun form.
"Different communities have different practices for marking important public holidays."
The word practice carries a small spelling lesson inside it: British English traditionally reserves the final s for the verb practise.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of practice
The English word comes through Old French pratique from Latin practica, meaning “practice” or “policy,” and ultimately relates to Latin practicus, “active” or “practical,” and Greek praktikos, “concerned with doing.” The root also connects with prassein, “to do” or “act,” which underlies related forms such as practical, practitioner, and practicable. The distinction between the noun and verb spelling, practice and practise, developed especially in British English, although US usage now commonly uses practice for both.
Related word forms
How practice is actually used
The word is generally neutral and widely used in formal and informal contexts. In contexts such as medicine or law, it can refer to an established professional field; in discussion of skill development, it emphasizes repeated and purposeful activity.
Easily confused with practice
In British English, practice is usually the noun and practise is the verb, while US English commonly uses practice for both.