Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913 De facto /dē făk'-tō/ · De· fac·to · IPA /ˌdeɪˈfæktoʊ/ 01 Actually; in fact; in reality; as, a king de facto, -- distinguished from a king de jure, or by right. 1. Actually; in fact; in reality; as, a king de facto, -- distinguished from a king de jure, or by right.