Repetition of an activity to improve a skill.
A guide to practice
• An organized event for the purpose of performing such repetition.
• The ongoing pursuit of a craft or profession, particularly in medicine or the fine arts.
• A place where a professional service is provided, such as a general practice.
• The observance of religious duties that a church requires of its members.
• A customary action, habit, or behaviour; a manner or routine.
• Actual operation or experiment, in contrast to theory.
• The form, manner, and order of conducting and carrying on suits and prosecutions through their various stages, according to the principles of law and the rules laid down by the courts.
• Skilful or artful management; dexterity in contrivance or the use of means; stratagem; artifice.
• An easy and concise method of applying the rules of arithmetic to questions which occur in trade and business.
(Verb) Alternative spelling of practise.
Why practice is relevant in U.S. law
practice appears in U.S. legal practice across multiple practice areas. Knowing what it means — and when it applies — can determine the outcome of motions, filings, and negotiations. For non-lawyers, the value of looking up a precise definition is that legal terms often carry meanings that differ from everyday usage; relying on the common meaning can lead to costly missteps.
When and how practice applies
In practice, practice is invoked when parties, judges, or attorneys need to identify the legal status of an issue, the rights of those involved, or the procedural step required next. The definition shown above is sourced from Wiktionary , which is widely cited in U.S. legal practice. Because U.S. law is jurisdictionally layered — federal, state, and sometimes local — the precise application of the term can vary by court, so check the controlling authority for your specific case.