usage

American  

[yoo-sij, -zij] / ˈyu sɪdʒ, -zɪdʒ /

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.

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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

• nonusage noun

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

Mercor offered payment for personal-finance documents and Google Maps histories, and its software allegedly captured contractor computer usage.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

Google said it redesigned the stack for TPU 8i “to eliminate the ‘waiting room’ effect” during inference, which refers to delays in responses that can happen when AI model usage is high.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

“No drama print,” wrote Jefferies analyst Sheila Kahyaoglu in a Wednesday report, adding first-quarter cash usage was a little lower than expected.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

The letter outlined their concerns over an increase in AI usage by people "who may not realize the dangers they can encounter" and called for "robust safety testing, recall procedures, and clear warnings to consumers".

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

In recent years, dictionaries have come to accept a looser usage, meaning “because of” or “on account of”: Richie threw the suit away due to the hole.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner

Related Words

• management