usage

noun

us·​age ˈyü-sij 

-zij

1

a

: 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

2

a

: the action, amount, or mode of using

a decreased usage of electricity

b

: manner of treating

Synonyms

• application
• employment
• exercise
• operation
• play
• use

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

Addiction to nicotine can be particularly tough to break when the usage is associated with coping methods for stress, anxiety or depression, Christensen said. —Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 3 Apr. 2024

Once revered as a holy grail product, the usage of dry shampoo has recently become a subject of concern. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024

Bixby can also discern Galaxy phone usage patterns and automatically switch battery and screen settings based on user behavior, according to Samsung's website. —Kate Irwin, PCMAG, 1 Apr. 2024

The lifespan of a pool thermometer depends on its quality, maintenance, and usage. —Staff Author Published, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2024

Although Lillard hasn’t seen an uptick in his usage percentage, the team hammers home the importance of running more pick and rolls with Lillard and his MVP teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo. —Brian Sampson, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024

How Project Gigaton works Walmart encourages its suppliers to take steps to reduce their emissions in one or more of six areas: nature; energy use; product design and usage; packaging; transport; and waste. —Courtney Vien, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2024

The organ practically announces Clementine’s previous incarnation, though its current usage is often distinctly different from its original purpose. —Tom Roland, Billboard, 29 Mar. 2024

Those concerns have spurred a flurry of legislation relating to children’s social media usage that range from bans — like those in Arkansas and Utah — to efforts to bolster media-literacy education. —Cristiano Lima-Strong, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from us use

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing usage

• enter common usage
• usage note
• ill-usage

Kids Definition

usage

noun

us·​age ˈyü-sij 

-zij

1

a

: usual practice or procedure

b

: the way in which words and phrases are actually used

2

a

: the action of using : use

increasing usage of the nation's highways

b

: manner of treating

restaurant dishes receive rough usage

Legal Definition

usage

noun

us·​age ˈyü-sij, -zij 

: an habitual or uniform practice especially in an area or trade compare custom