usage

[yoo-sij, -zij]

noun

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.

usage

/ -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

Confusables Note

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

• nonusage noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of usage¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of usage¹

C14: via Old French, from Latin ūsus _use (n)

Example Sentences

Yet Dent’s heavy usage came with a downside.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

That widespread usage complicated efforts to source a sufficient supply of replacements, executives and analysts said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Until this month, she kept the title Sarah, Duchess of York - but she reverted to her maiden name of Ferguson after Andrew voluntarily gave up the usage of the Duke of York title.

Read more on BBC

Khomchalat founded biochar company Wongphai and now works across Thailand, helping farmers convert crop residues into "something that restores the soil, helps plants to grow more, reduces water usage and keeps the carbon".

Read more on Barron's

Schletz noted that the online tool would need disclaimer language about those steps “as well as to accommodate usage of SAVE.”

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• management