practicality

[ prak-ti-kal-i-tee ]

noun

plural practicalities.

1. the quality of being adapted or designed for actual use; usefulness or convenience:

   Your home furniture choices should be based on practicality, durability, and beauty.

2. interest in or inclination toward actual work or activity as opposed to theories or ideas:

   My mother was an entrepreneur whose tremendous vision, teamed with her practicality, “moved mountains.”

3. a detail or consideration involved in putting something into action:

   She talked with culinary students about their dreams as well as the practicalities of launching a food business.

4. the constraints or demands of real life or actual implementation:

   Economy and practicality dictate that we can't save every green space from development.

5. the quality or fact of relating to actual activity, especially ordinary or everyday activity:

   I appreciate the real-world practicality of the question, “What does it mean to be a father?”

Other Word Forms

• non·prac·ti·cal·i·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of practicality¹

practical ( def ) + -ity ( def )

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, calls for banning "junk food" from the program raise difficult questions about personal choice, public health and the practicalities of enforcement.

From Salon

They questioned the practicality and the fairness of having a citizenship rule that applied at least temporarily in some parts of the country but not others.

From Los Angeles Times

In Frederic Vasseur, they have a team boss who has given the team a more international outlook, and is very matter-of-fact and focused on practicality.

From BBC

But practicality seems to be what many Californians are looking for in their next governor.

From Los Angeles Times

Humility and practicality are rarely top of mind in shows like this although, with the right mold, anyone could pull off the frozen orange juice roses Meghan makes for brunch mimosas with her friends.

From Salon

Related Words

• common-sense