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1. Of or pertaining to practice or action.

2. Capable of being turned to use or account; useful, in distinction from ideal or theoretical; as, practical chemistry. Man's practical understanding. . For all practical purposes. .

3. Evincing practice or skill; capable of applying knowledge to some useful end; as, a practical man; a practical mind.

4. Derived from practice; as, practical skill. Practical joke, a joke put in practice; a joke the fun of which consists in something done, in distinction from something said; especially, a trick played upon a person.

Origin: L. Practicus active, Gr. Fit for doing or performing, practical, active, fr. To do, work, effect: cf. F. Pratique, formerly also practique. Cf. Pragmatic, Practice.