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usage

noun
us·​age | \ ˈyü-sij How to pronounce usage (audio) , -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

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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Although today the mound is still sometimes referred to as Boadicea’s Grave, such usage is knowing and ironic, a nod to the fact that the site is just one more place in which the ancient queen is wrongly rumored to be buried. — Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, "The Brexit Warnings to Be Found in Sheep Grazing in a London Park," 3 Sep. 2019 Another possibility is that Charter could monitor usage of its broadband network to help Disney fight account sharing. — Jon Brodkin, WIRED, "Disney Is Finally Taking On Account Sharers," 16 Aug. 2019 Another possibility is that Charter could monitor usage of its broadband network to help Disney fight account sharing. — Jon Brodkin, Wired, "Disney Is Finally Taking On Account Sharers," 16 Aug. 2019 Another possibility is that Charter could monitor usage of its broadband network to help Disney fight account sharing. — Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, "Disney fights streaming account sharing with help from cable industry," 15 Aug. 2019 Fuel usage is especially high at the Sonoma course, which is close to sea level and therefore allows engines to take in more oxygen — and hence more fuel — than higher-altitude courses. — Elena Shao, SFChronicle.com, "Car racing doesn’t sound eco-friendly, but Sonoma Raceway wants to change that," 26 July 2019 There's even an app to set the custom commands and monitor your water usage. — Monique Valeris, ELLE Decor, "How to Design Your Dream Kitchen, According to Jeremiah Brent," 24 July 2019 Higher-end leak detectors such as Phyn Plus and Flo by Moen can monitor your water usage for anomalies, connect with smart home systems and alert you to problems through phone apps. — Washington Post, "Liz Weston: Is your wealth dripping away?," 23 July 2019 Higher-end leak detectors such as Phyn Plus and Flo by Moen can monitor your water usage for anomalies, connect with smart home systems and alert you to problems through phone apps. — Liz Weston, Dallas News, "5 tips to help prevent water damage, which outranks theft and fire for home claims," 23 July 2019

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.

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First Known Use of usage

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

History and Etymology for usage

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from us use

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More Definitions for usage

usage

noun
How to pronounce usage (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of usage

: the act of using something
: the way that something is used
: the amount of something that is used

See the full definition for usage in the English Language Learners Dictionary

usage

noun
us·​age | \ ˈyü-sij How to pronounce usage (audio) , -zij\

Kids Definition of usage

1 : usual way of doing things a business usage
2 : the way in which words and phrases are actually used
3 : the action of using : use The book was worn from long usage.

usage

noun
us·​age | \ ˈyü-sij, -zij How to pronounce usage (audio) \

Legal Definition of usage

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on usage

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for usage

Spanish Central: Translation of usage

Nglish: Translation of usage for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of usage for Arabic Speakers

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