usage

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noun us·age \ˈyü-sij, -zij\

Definition of usage

1a : firmly established and generally accepted practice or procedureb : 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 familiarityc : 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 electricityb : manner of treating

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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

The new fixtures, which were attached to the existing poles, will produce a more consistent light to the city’s streets improving safety while reducing electric usage by approximately 18,000 kilowatts per year.

— sheila vilvens, Cincinnati.com, "Clermont County Roundup: County Fair fun, a land battle, road and light improvements in Loveland," 20 July 2017
Vuitton has made special deals with local platforms like Weibo so that the corresponding platforms in the West will automatically switch for usage when appropriate.

— vanessa friedman, New York Times, "Get Ready for the Internet of Louis Vuitton Things," 11 July 2017
BANGKOK (AP) — A policy-writing body advising Thailand’s military government has suggested imposing stringent restrictions on internet usage, intended in part to identify the posters of all content on services such as Facebook and YouTube.

— kaweewit kaewjinda, The Seattle Times, "Thai reform body suggests tight regulations on social media," 4 July 2017
The National Milk Producers Federation says the USDA’s usage of the term shows even other government agencies are confused about how to describe soy beverages in the absence of consistent enforcement by the FDA.

— candice choi, The Seattle Times, "Soy ‘milk’? Even federal agencies can’t agree on terminology," 3 July 2017
The National Milk Producers Federation says the USDA's usage of the term shows even other government agencies are confused about how to describe soy beverages in the absence of consistent enforcement by the FDA.

— candice choi, chicagotribune.com, "Soy 'milk'? Even federal agencies can't agree on terminology," 3 July 2017
Johnny Martinez, manager of Gray Haze Vape in Naperville, said the business of vaping – the term used to describe e-cigarette usage – has increased steadily over the last five years.

— suzanne baker, Naperville Sun, "Vaping on the rise but no clear proof it's safe, experts say," 1 July 2017
PM - Tully, Jeff Requested size: Actual size: 119 lin - 16.47i Category: Contextual use: Normal Description: Correction: Usages of this branch: TNBroadsheet .NoDate, BLR/1 - Local, BLR_SPORTS All usages:

— jeff tully, Burbank Leader, "Bellarmine-Jefferson football tones down schedule, joins league," 29 June 2017
His game naturally projects a higher-usage style, but any team that relies on him in that way limits itself.

— rob mahoney, SI.com, "NBA Free Agency 2017: Top 50 Players Available," 26 June 2017

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

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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