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practical art

American  

noun

  1. an art or craft, as woodworking or needlework, that serves a utilitarian purpose.


Etymology

Origin of practical art

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

We have different names for it depending on the culture and era: Italy’s cucina povera, Depression-era “waste not, want not” cooking, the deeply practical art of stretching ingredients without making dinner feel bleak.

From Salon • May 12, 2026

Ms. Chippendale listed herself on the Register, but left in 2009 to form the rival Association, which aims to “encourage excellence in the profession and practical art of mole catching.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 13, 2016

The process by which Mr Gehry works is almost entirely intuitive, which plays into the hands of sceptics, because it subverts the idea of architecture as mainly a practical art.

From Economist • Oct. 29, 2015

"I wanted to look at work from the Whitbread Gallery and the Louvre and I'd heard about a man on YouTube who did practical art demonstrations," he said.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2010

“The practical art of conducting men,” he answered.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

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