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

Subscription spending is on the rise as more consumers are utilizing entertainment and retail services, a new analysis shows. — Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

However, recent archaeological evidence indicates humanity possibly began utilizing psychoactive plants much earlier than previously believed. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 10 Sep. 2026

Kubiak already utilizes the ground game more than most NFL play callers — the Seattle Seahawks were the third most run-heavy offense in football under his watch last season. — Sam Warren, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Slowly, government ministries and security forces, with little background in tech-era communications, began to utilize social media as a pipeline for propaganda. — David Friend, Vanity Fair, 10 Sep. 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