usage

noun

us·​age ˈyü-sij How to pronounce usage (audio)
-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
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

Example Sentences

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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Paying for the Aviation Trust Fund that funds the FAA based on usage would require a wholesale restructuring of the system. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 May 2023 Future features that draw the most interest are streaming services, virtual assistant, driver-awareness monitoring, vehicle usage alert, and facial-recognition software. Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 11 May 2023 The undisclosed usage of AI will become the lip-syncing scandal of the future. Gideon Kimbrell, Rolling Stone, 9 May 2023 If so, dollars in circulation would soar to reflect global usage of what’s trusted by producers. John Tamny, Forbes, 7 May 2023 Private jet usage has skyrocketed 20% since the start of the pandemic, and the resulting emissions have jumped over 23%, according to a new report from the left-leaning Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) and the Patriotic Millionaires, who regularly urge the government to raises taxes on them. Jane Thier, Fortune, 3 May 2023 However, revolving credit usage begins to increase in 2021, reaching an all-decade high of 1,220 billion dollars. Rob Wile, NBC News, 29 Apr. 2023 Product labels are carefully inspected for proper safety and usage instructions. goodhousekeeping.com, 28 Apr. 2023 Musk, for his part, has said that Twitter’s usage has increased since his takeover and that advertisers are steadily returning to the platform. Clare Duffy, CNN, 27 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'usage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from us use

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of usage was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near usage

Cite this Entry

“Usage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/usage. Accessed 28 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

usage

noun
us·​age ˈyü-sij How to pronounce usage (audio)
-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 How to pronounce usage (audio)
: an habitual or uniform practice especially in an area or trade compare custom

More from Merriam-Webster on usage

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