Definition of "in effect"

in effect

adjective
not comparable
1. Operating or functioning; in force; in play.
adverb
not comparable
1. For all practical purposes; in practice; actually; essentially; basically.
  Quotations
  Separated from the rest of Heathrow, this would, in effect, be a second airport.
  2007, The Guardian, Aug 21 2007, George Monbiot.