usage

noun

us·​age ˈyü-sij How to pronounce usage (audio)
-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
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 Our goal is to further increase usage and the user base of Joyn with double-digit growth rates per year. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024 And modern programming usage is often to use the frameworks that are available. Stephen Cass, IEEE Spectrum, 6 Mar. 2024 Morrissey addressed the issue Wednesday, saying Baldwin’s gun usage, particularly the day of the shooting, was problematic. Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Local residents are concerned about the plant's water usage and object to the automaker's latest plans to double the site's manufacturing capacity to a million electric vehicles a year. Esme Nicholson, NPR, 5 Mar. 2024 Related Articles Ex-Milpitas city manager sues city, alleges former mayor exchanged endorsements for political favors Medicinal cannabis was legalized in the state in 1996, and recreational usage was allowed in 2016. Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2024 Taking inspiration from habit-stacking, brands should consider how to align product usage with pre-existing habits, ensuring a natural fit into users' lives. Nicole Dunn, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 In 1916, Germany decided to implement the first daylight saving time to maximize its usage of resources during sunlit hours. Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Feb. 2024 For TikTok, the figure will be if usage on the app goes down if users get frustrated with less music available. Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'usage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from us use

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of usage was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near usage

Cite this Entry

“Usage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/usage. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

usage

noun
us·​age ˈyü-sij How to pronounce usage (audio)
-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 How to pronounce usage (audio)
: an habitual or uniform practice especially in an area or trade compare custom

More from Merriam-Webster on usage

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