Practice- definition from Oxford Dictionary Online

practice

 

Pronunciation:/ˈpraktɪs/

noun

[mass noun]

• 1the actual application or use of an idea, belief, or method, as opposed to theories relating to it:the principles and practice of teachingthe recommendations proved too expensive to put into practice
• the carrying out or exercise of a profession, especially that of a doctor or lawyer:he abandoned medical practice for the Church
• [count noun] the business or premises of a doctor or lawyer:Dr Apps has a practice in Neasham Road

• 2the customary, habitual, or expected procedure or way of doing of something:product placement is common practice in American movies[count noun]:modern child-rearing practices
• an established method of legal procedure.

• 3repeated exercise in or performance of an activity or skill so as to acquire or maintain proficiency in it:it must have taken a lot of practice to become so fluent
• [count noun] a period of time spent practising an activity or skill:daily choir practices

verb

• US spelling of practise

Phrases

in practice

• 1in reality (used to refer to what actually happens as opposed to what is meant or believed to happen):in theory this method is ideal—in practice it is unrealistic

• 2currently proficient in a particular activity or skill as a result of repeated exercise or performance of it.

out of practice

not currently proficient in a particular activity or skill through not having exercised or performed it for some time:he was out of practice at interrogation

practice makes perfect

regular exercise of an activity or skill is the way to become proficient in it.

Origin:

late Middle English: from practise, on the pattern of pairs such as advise, advice

A new year- a new word

I'm welcoming a new word for 2012. Practice. It isn't the word I thought I'd choose, perhaps it found me in my desire to live life more fully (yes, I hear some of you who know me best laughing hysterically because you think I live a pretty full life as it is!). Perhaps living more fully in the sense of more authentic, finding my voice creatively, pursuing things I say I'm interested in instead of just wishing I would. I like the idea of practice rather than discipline. It has a more positive energy to it. I like the idea of identifying things I would like to practice more, physically and spiritually. So, I'm pretty excited to see where exploring practice takes me. I plan to start slowly so that my practice is enjoyable and so that I look forward to it.

It may be like my mindful year in 2010 but with more intention and less observation. 

There are some things I'd like to change about myself and some things I'd like to explore.

Maybe practice is one way to accomplish that.

Do you have a word for 2012?