practice

prac|tice1 [ `præktıs ] noun ***

1. ) count or uncount occasions when you do something in order to become better at it, or the time 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.

a ) uncount 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.

2. ) count or uncount 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.

a ) uncount LEGAL the established methods for dealing with cases in court

3. ) count the business of a doctor, lawyer, or other professional person:

a medical/legal/dental/veterinary practice

a ) uncount the work of a doctor, lawyer, or other professional person:

the practice of medicine/law/dentistry

be in practice

to be good at doing something because you have been doing it regularly

be out of practice

to be bad at doing something because you have not been doing it regularly

in practice

used for talking about what really happens as opposed to what you think will or should happen:

Drivers say we need speed limits but, in practice, they don't respect them.

practice makes perfect

used for saying that repeating an activity or doing it regularly makes you very good at it

practice

prac|tice 2 [ `præktıs ] verb **

1. ) intransitive or 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 the final in June.

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.

3. ) transitive to perform the activities and duties of your religion:

Emperor Constantine gave the Christians the right to practice their religion openly.

4. ) intransitive or 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.

practice what you preach

to behave in the same way that you try to persuade other people to behave:

Sometimes it's hard as a parent to practice what you preach.