1
: failure to use
nonuse of available material
2
: the fact or condition of not being used
Examples of nonuse in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Costs will vary for the Copilot Chat depending on what employees do with it, but at least organizations won’t end up paying for nonuse.
—
Jordan Novet, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2025
For example, a nuclear deterrent against escalation might strengthen the norms of nonuse and nonproliferation because increased security would decrease the need for nonnuclear powers to develop independent nuclear capabilities.
—Doreen Horschig, Foreign Affairs, 16 Sep. 2024
Many of his recreational customers are either new to cannabis and learning about it, or returning after decades of nonuse.
—Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 1 July 2024
Eventually, the resident next door said the easement was terminated over nonuse.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2024
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Jordan Novet, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2025
For example, a nuclear deterrent against escalation might strengthen the norms of nonuse and nonproliferation because increased security would decrease the need for nonnuclear powers to develop independent nuclear capabilities.
—Doreen Horschig, Foreign Affairs, 16 Sep. 2024
Many of his recreational customers are either new to cannabis and learning about it, or returning after decades of nonuse.
—Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 1 July 2024
Eventually, the resident next door said the easement was terminated over nonuse.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Nonuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonuse. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nonuse
noun
non·use
-ˈyüs 
1
: failure to use
nonuse of available material
2
: the fact or condition of not being used
Legal Definition
nonuse
noun
non·use
ˌnän-ˈyüs
1
: failure to use
nonuse of land
2
: the fact or condition of not being used
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