Practical software misrepresented (7)
I believe the answer is:
applied
'practical' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'software misrepresented' is the wordplay.
'software' becomes 'app' (software application).
'misrepresented' becomes 'lied' (to lie about something is to misrepresent it).
'app'+'lied'='APPLIED'
(Other definitions for applied that I've seen before include "Put into service, made work" , "Put oneself forward, for a job say" , "Administered" , "Put into practice or requested" , "Put in (for a job) - not pure" .)