1. Of, relating to, governed by, or acquired through practice or action, rather than theory, speculation, or ideals: gained practical experience of sailing as a deck hand.
2. Manifested in or involving practice: practical applications of calculus.
3. Actually engaged in a specified occupation or a certain kind of work; practicing.
4. Capable of or suitable to being used or put into effect; useful: practical knowledge of Japanese. See Usage Note at practicable.
5. Concerned with the production or operation of something useful: Woodworking is a practical art.
6. Level-headed, efficient, and unspeculative.
7. Being actually so in almost every respect; virtual: a practical disaster.

[Middle English practicale, from Medieval Latin prācticālis, from prāctica, practice. See practicable.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.