usage

noun us·age \ ˈyü-sij , -zij \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Definition of usage

1 a : firmly established and generally accepted practice or procedure

b : a uniform certain reasonable lawful practice existing in a particular locality or occupation and binding persons entering into transactions chiefly on the basis of presumed familiarity

c : the way in which words and phrases are actually used (as in a particular form or sense) in a language community

2 a : the action, amount, or mode of using

a decreased usage of electricity

b : manner of treating

See usage defined for English-language learners

See usage defined for kids

Examples of usage in a Sentence

Seat belt usage in the state is now mandatory.
drug usage among college students
Restaurant dishes must be able to withstand rough usage.
efforts to reduce water usage
increasing usage of the nation's highways
This word occurs in casual usage.
differences between British and American usage
I came across an uncommon usage I'd like to discuss with you.

Recent Examples of usage from the Web

Plattsburgh in upstate New York banned Bitcoin mining earlier this year, after a surge in hydro energy usage drove up residents’ electric bills.

— david meyer, Fortune, "Cryptocurrency Miners Are Using So Much Energy That Quebec's Government Had to Crack Down," 8 June 2018
One reason few departments are making use of the technology may be the amount of training and regulations involved in drone usage.

— ted slowik, Daily Southtown, "Orland Park a rare police agency using drones as state considers allowing the devices for surveillance," 8 June 2018
Moistened cloths are another option for regular usage.

— dr. patty khuly, miamiherald, "Allergic to your furry friends? Here are tips to help manage pet allergies," 31 May 2018
The software update changed the calibration of the anti-lock braking algorithm across variations in usage and environmental conditions, according to Tesla.

— tim higgins, WSJ, "Consumer Reports Thought a Tesla Took Too Long to Stop. The Company Fixed It Via a Software Update.," 30 May 2018
The two porches determined to be safe for usage appeared to have been recently renovated, Neukirch said.

— karen berkowitz, chicagotribune.com, "Highland Park issues cautions in wake of Fort Sheridan porch collapse," 29 May 2018
So, unbeknownst to me at the time, this played out in my usage of them.

— rachel nussbaum, Glamour, "I Recreated Iconic Scrunchie Looks for a Week," 28 May 2018
The study also noted the increase in cell phone usage, with the number of smartphones in active use in the U.S. increasing by 236% from 2010 to 2016.

— kristi tanner, Detroit Free Press, "Death on foot: Pedestrian fatalities skyrocket in U.S.," 8 May 2018
That hasn’t stopped them from going to the pitch often; their bullpen ranks fifth in the majors in fastball usage at 63.7 percent.

— nick piecoro, azcentral, "Arizona Diamondbacks' bullpen getting results without overpowering stuff," 20 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'usage.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of usage

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from us use

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

usage Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of usage

habit, practice, usage, custom, wont mean a way of acting fixed through repetition. habit implies a doing unconsciously and often compulsively.

- had a habit of tapping his fingers

practice suggests an act or method followed with regularity and usually through choice.

- our practice is to honor all major credit cards

usage suggests a customary action so generally followed that it has become a social norm.

- western-style dress is now common usage in international business

custom applies to a practice or usage so steadily associated with an individual or group as to have almost the force of unwritten law.

- the custom of wearing black at funerals

wont usually applies to a habitual manner, method, or practice of an individual or group.

- as was her wont, she slept until noon

USAGE Defined for English Language Learners

usage

noun

Definition of usage for English Language Learners

: the act of using something
: the way that something is used
: the amount of something that is used

USAGE Defined for Kids

usage

noun us·age \ ˈyü-sij , -zij \

Definition of usage for Students

1 : usual way of doing things

a business usage

2 : the way in which words and phrases are actually used

3 : the action of using : use

The book was worn from long usage.

Law Dictionary

usage

noun us·age \ ˈyü-sij, -zij \

legal Definition of usage

: an habitual or uniform practice especially in an area or trade — compare custom

Learn More about usage

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for usage Spanish Central: Translation of usage Nglish: Translation of usage for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of usage for Arabic speakers

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usage

Definition of usage

Examples of usage in a Sentence

Recent Examples of usage from the Web

Origin and Etymology of usage

usage Synonyms

Synonyms

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Synonym Discussion of usage

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USAGE Defined for English Language Learners

usage

Definition of usage for English Language Learners

USAGE Defined for Kids

usage

Definition of usage for Students

Law Dictionary

usage

legal Definition of usage

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