practical

Relating to, or based on, practice or action rather than theory or hypothesis.

Adjective

Relating to, or based on, practice or action rather than theory or hypothesis.
- Jack didn't get an engineering degree, but has practical knowledge of metalworking.
- Modern engineering applies science to practical problems.
Being likely to be effective and applicable to a real situation; able to be put to use.
- Jack's knowledge has the practical benefit of giving us useful prototype parts.
- Recruits will be taught in-depth electrical and mechanical engineering as well as gaining practical experience in rail maintenance. - 2021 February 24, “Rail industry marks National Apprenticeship Week”, in RAIL, number...
Of a person, having skills or knowledge that are practical.
- All in all, Jack's a very practical chap.
Of a prop: having some degree of functionality, rather than being a mere imitation.
Light fixtures used for set lighting and seen in the frame of a shot as part of the scenery.
- Practical lighting can help sell the illusion that the film is a real situation.

From Middle English practical, practicale, praktycall, from Medieval Latin practicālis.

A part of an exam or series of exams in which the candidate has to demonstrate their practical ability
A prop that has some degree of functionality, rather than being a mere imitation.
- Practicals are used onstage as they would be used in real life. If the sound cue is to be from a radio or television, give qualities to the recording that will maintain the sense of the medium. - 2013, Deena Kaye, James...
A light fixture used for set lighting and seen in the frame of a shot as part of the scenery.
- A naturalistic set is normally dressed with all the furnishings and props to be found in a real room. This includes electric light fittings which, when they actually light, are known as practicals. - 2001, Francis Reid,...
Laboratory experiment, test or investigation