usage

noun

us·age | \ˈyü-sij,

-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

Keep scrolling for more

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

In fact, a 2017 meta-analysis of clinical trials of antipsychotics found that almost all antipsychotics are associated with some level of weight gain after prolonged usage. — Kimberly Truong, SELF, "11 Side Effects of Antipsychotics You Should Know About," 7 Dec. 2018 Drone usage has grown rapidly in some industries, but mostly outside the retail sector and direct interaction with consumers. — Joseph Pisani, The Seattle Times, "Where are the drone deliveries? Amazon’s customers are still waiting," 3 Dec. 2018 HouseZero attacks one of the largest sources of energy usage and carbon emissions: the existing building stock. — Patrick Sisson, Curbed, "Can a remodeled 1920s home revolutionize green building?," 3 Dec. 2018 Khan expects that by 2028, 200 GB will be a standard memory usage rate around world, giving the company a decade to plan its microsats. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "The Race for Space-Based Internet Is On," 3 Jan. 2018 That would equal about one-seventh of India’s total annual energy load today, but the real threat is peak-time usage. — Russell Gold, WSJ, "Can India Afford to Cool Down?," 21 Nov. 2018 Consider the wide variation in dosage, potency, timing, and frequency of usage that naturally occurs outside the laboratory setting. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "Here’s What You Need to Know About Using Marijuana While Pregnant or Breastfeeding," 12 Oct. 2018 Only 22 percent of Americans say privacy concerns have caused them to reduce Internet usage. — NBC News, "Why data privacy could unite Red and Blue America," 15 Apr. 2018 Slowing ships down by 10% could reduce fuel usage by almost a third. — The Economist, "The shipping industry attempts to cap carbon emissions," 14 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.