usage

American  

[yoo-sij, -zij] / ˈju sɪdʒ, -zɪdʒ /

noun

usages plural

1. a customary way of doing something; a custom or practice.

   the usages of the last 50 years.

   Synonyms:

   convention, habit, tradition

2. the customary manner in which a language or a form of a language is spoken or written.

   English usage; a grammar based on usage rather than on arbitrary notions of correctness.

3. a particular instance of this.

   a usage borrowed from French.

4. any manner of doing or handling something; treatment.

   rough usage.

5. habitual or customary use; long-continued practice.

   immemorial usage.

6. an act of using or employing; use.

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usage British  

/ -zɪdʒ, ˈjuːsɪdʒ /

noun

1. the act or a manner of using; use; employment

2. constant use, custom, or habit

3. something permitted or established by custom or practice

4. what is actually said in a language, esp as contrasted with what is prescribed

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Commonly Confused

The nouns usage and use are related in origin and meaning and to some extent overlap in their use. Usage usually refers to habitual or customary practices or procedures: Some usages of the Anglican Church are similar to those of the Roman Catholic Church. It is also commonly used in reference to language practices: English usage is divided in the pronunciation of aunt. Use refers to the act of using or employing (something): She put her extra money to good use. Perhaps in the belief that it is the more impressive term, usage is sometimes used where use would be more natural: Has your usage of a personal computer made the work any easier?

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonusage
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• usages
  plural

Etymology

Origin of usage

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Medieval Latin ūsāticum, equivalent to Latin ūs(us) ( see use) + -āticum -age

Explanation

Usage is the act of using something. Your cell phone usage is something you'll want to keep track of so you don't find yourself surprised by overages and extra charges that might make you want to cry. Usage can also refer to the usual and correct way a language is spoken or written. If you want to make sure you're using the right word or using a tricky word correctly, you should consult a book on English usage. Usage can also mean an accepted practice or custom. An anthropologist might describe the specific time-honored usages that a particular tribe observes whenever a baby is born.

Example Sentences

Usage data also showed that Rufus was doing well.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

Usage restrictions governing its contract with the Pentagon stipulate that its AI cannot be used for domestic mass surveillance or fully autonomous weapons.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

Usage of Gemini is still below that of ChatGPT, but reports from The Information and Sensor Tower found that Google’s model is gaining market share fast.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 11, 2025

Usage rate may be a problem for the Lakers because LeBron, Luka, and Austin all love to have the ball in their hands.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2025

The Usage Panel is intended to be a sample of the virtual community for whom careful writers write.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Related Words

• management