: relating to matters of fact or practical affairs often to the exclusion of intellectual or artistic matters : practical as opposed to idealistic a pragmatic leader a pragmatic [=practical] approach to health care 2 : relating to or being in accordance with philosophical pragmatism

Pragmatism can mean the practice of being pragmatic, but it can also more specifically refer to the philosophical movement that emphasizes practical consequences in the determination of meaning, truth, or value. Example: We need a candidate who’s pragmatic and can get things done in the real world—not some idealist who will never compromise.

A pragmatic view means that one doesn't think in ideal or abstract terms. For example, words that attempt to explain abstract concepts-freedom, beauty-have no meaning in and of themselves. Instead, someone who looks at pragmatics would attempt to understand how they are being used in a given, concrete, practical situation.