utilize

1 of 2

verb

uti·​lize ˈyü-tə-ˌlīz 

utilized; utilizing

transitive verb

: to make use of : turn to practical use or account

… I'm a great person for utilizing waste power.

—Robert Frost

utilizable

ˈyü-tə-ˌlī-zə-bəl 

adjective

utilization

ˌyü-tə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

utilizer

ˈyü-tə-ˌlī-zər 

noun

utilization

2 of 2

noun

uti·​li·​za·​tion

variants also British utilisation

ˌyütᵊlə̇ˈzāshən, 

-ütᵊl-, 

-ᵊlˌīˈ-

plural -s

: the action of utilizing or the state of being utilized

the utilization of quotations from archives

—C. H. Driver

utilization of glucose in the liver

the disparity between the established drawing rights and their rate of utilization

—R. F. Mikesell

Synonyms of utilize

Verb

• use
• apply
• exploit
• employ

Choose the Right Synonym for utilize

use, employ, utilize mean to put into service especially to attain an end.

use implies availing oneself of something as a means or instrument to an end.

willing to use any means to achieve her ends

employ suggests the use of a person or thing that is available but idle, inactive, or disengaged.

looking for better ways to employ their skills

utilize may suggest the discovery of a new, profitable, or practical use for something.

an old wooden bucket utilized as a planter

Examples of utilize in a Sentence

Verb

Many of the library's resources are not utilized by townspeople.

we must utilize all the tools at our disposal

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Prep Baseball Report, a group based in Indiana, and Homefield’s baseball teams, would continue managing and utilizing the property under the 20-year lease term with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and KCK. — Sofi Zeman july 24, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026

Council Member Luke Cavener asked whether the police department had considered creating a public dashboard for how the data is being used, or utilizing an independent third party to audit officers’ use. — Rose Evans july 23, Idaho Statesman, 23 July 2026

Because the technology can utilize multiple fuel types, it is also designed to adapt as military and commercial users transition toward lower-carbon energy sources without requiring entirely new generating equipment. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 July 2026

While legacy systems may process in batch files overnight, prediction markets may utilize blockchain, smart contract technologies, straight through processing or atomic settlement. — Barry Bernstein, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

French utiliser, from utile

Noun

French utilisation, from utiliser to utilize + -ation

First Known Use

Verb

1807, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for utilize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

utilize

verb

uti·​lize ˈyüt-ᵊl-ˌīz 

utilized; utilizing

: to make use of especially for a certain job

utilization

ˌyüt-ᵊl-ə-ˈzā-shən 

noun