1. Concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles
   "technical problems in medicine, engineering, economics and other applied disciplines"; "applied physics"; "applied psychology"

1. Put into service; make work for a particular purpose or use as designed
   "Apply a magnetic field here"; "This thinking was applied to many projects"; "I apply this rule to get good results";
   - use, utilize, utilise [Brit], employ
    
2. Ask (for something)
   "He applied for a leave of absence"; "She applied for college"; "apply for a job"
    
3. Coat, cover or smear a surface with
   "She applied paint to the back of the house";
   - put on
    
4. Be pertinent, relevant or applicable
   "The same laws apply to you!";
   - hold, go for
    
5. Make use of; obey or follow
   "apply a principle";
   - practice [N. Amer], use, practise [Brit, Cdn]
    
6. Ensure observance of laws and rules
   "Apply the rules to everyone";
   - enforce, implement
    
7. Be applicable to; as to an analysis
   "These findings apply to all age groups"
    
8. Give or convey physically
   "She applied the bandage to the wound";
   - give
    
9. Refer (a word or name) to a person or thing
   "He applied this racial slur to me!"
    
10. Apply oneself to
    "Please apply yourself to your homework"

See also: forensic, position, practical

Type of: act, administer, agree, allot, ask for, bear on, bespeak, call for, check, commit, compel, concern, consecrate, correspond, cover, deal, deal out, dedicate, denote, devote, dish out, dispense, distribute, dole, dole out, fit, gibe, give, have to do with, jibe, lot, marry, marry up, match, mete, mete out, move, obligate, oblige, parcel out, pertain, refer, relate, request, square, tally, touch, touch on

Antonym: defy, theoretical

Encyclopedia: Apply