practical construction

noun

prac·​ti·​cal construction

1

: the interpretation of the terms of a contract as shown by the performance of the parties that may be used by the court to help determine the intent of the parties

also : the doctrine that permits such a method of discerning intent compare course of performance

2

: interpretation of a statute or document in a manner that does not defeat its purpose especially when a strict interpretation would produce clearly unintended or absurd results