usage

noun

us·​age ˈyü-sij 

-zij

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

Synonyms

• application
• employment
• exercise
• operation
• play
• use

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

Alcohol The research on alcohol and endometriosis is hazy, mostly because studies assessing usage and symptoms can’t typically tease out whether the booze preceded disease progression or if people dealing with the constant pain of endo are more likely to tap alcohol to cope. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 25 Apr. 2025

Proper supplement usage may help lower the risk of side effects. —Brittany Lubeck, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 25 Apr. 2025

Its elimination could come as a relief for people like Barr, 77, who recently paid nearly $300 for three months of water usage. —Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2025

Others can employ the usage for safety and comfort, allowing certain groups in varying contexts to use different pronouns. —Mikelle Street, Them., 23 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from us use

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing usage

• enter common usage
• ill-usage
• usage note

Kids Definition

usage

noun

us·​age ˈyü-sij 

-zij

1

a

: usual practice or procedure

b

: the way in which words and phrases are actually used

2

a

: the action of using : use

increasing usage of the nation's highways

b

: manner of treating

restaurant dishes receive rough usage

Legal Definition

usage

noun

us·​age ˈyü-sij, -zij 

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