usage

noun

us·age | \ ˈyü-sij

How to pronounce usage (audio)

, -zij\

Definition of usage

1a : 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

2a : the action, amount, or mode of using a decreased usage of electricity

b : manner of treating

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about usage

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Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web

The brief outing forced heavy usage for the bullpen. — Andy Mccullough, latimes.com, "Andrew McCutchen hits a walk-off home run to lift Giants over Dodgers 7-5 in 14 innings," 8 Apr. 2018 Such usage and storage shall be in line with the Privacy Policy at all times. — Sam Blum, Popular Mechanics, "The Vessel, New York City's Newest Tourist Trap, Plans to Use Your Photos as Marketing Fodder," 19 Mar. 2019 And all these standard numbers are larger, more than the ratio of the internet population, simply because the usage of mobile was stronger, more sticky in China. — Eric Johnson, Recode, "If they don’t want to lose their jobs to a machine, doctors will need to become compassionate ‘human connectors’," 17 Sep. 2018 Until then, the usage of non-bar soap was mostly limited to public restrooms and hospitals. — Tyler Watamanuk, New York Times, "When Did Soap, Once Simple, Get So Complicated?," 11 July 2018 The latest usage in the last few months is from the collarbone to the top of the nipples. — Ingrid Schmidt, The Hollywood Reporter, "Derm-to-the-Stars Harold Lancer Says Big Butts Are Out, Lifted Nose Tips Are In," 27 June 2018 USA TODAY Sports has counted 12 incidents of borderline decisions where VAR usage was relevant. — Martin Rogers, USA TODAY, "Video replay (VAR) is a joke, and it's making the World Cup worse," 23 June 2018 This usage is also often found in Argentina, Pope’s native country. — Jeet Heer, The New Republic, "Pope Francis blames family separation on ... populism?," 21 June 2018 By one estimate, a French yacht slips its moorings on average for just ten days a year, and for America’s 12m recreational boats, typical annual usage is two weeks. — The Economist, "Yacht-sharing startups vie to rule the waves," 21 June 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.

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More Definitions for usage

usage

noun

English Language Learners Definition of usage

: the act of using something

: the way that something is used

: the amount of something that is used

See the full definition for usage in the English Language Learners Dictionary

usage

noun

us·age | \ ˈyü-sij

, -zij\

Kids Definition of usage

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.

usage

noun

us·age | \ ˈyü-sij, -zij

\

Legal Definition of usage

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

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