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

/ ˈjuːsɪdʒ; -zɪdʒ /

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 Words From

• non·usage 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

This is not the time to change the rules when it comes to Internet data usage and increase costs.

From Washington Post

Omnispace is using its new capital from Fortress to flesh out its services and finish up pilot trials with some mobile operators and prepare the network for commercial usage starting in 2023, with the network ready in 2022.

From TechCrunch

Video game usage is surging to record highs, enriching game developers and console makers, and boosting sales for e-commerce platforms.

From Quartz

Ultimately, the search bar got more usage, she said, and while it helped lead to overall higher conversions, Complex was also able to track trends and popular items by seeing what people frequently searched for.

From Digiday

To give you a better understanding of its practical usage, we’ve also included real-life examples from B2B companies.

From Search Engine Watch

In The Sense of Style, Steven Pinker settles a war among the scolds with a sensible approach to usage.

From The Daily Beast

What infuriates some purists is the fact that correct usage ultimately depends on the majority of speakers.

From The Daily Beast

After food stamp usage hit record-breaking numbers in 2013, Congress tried to pare back the benefit.

From The Daily Beast

Many people time their medication usage or implement behavioral changes as soon as they experience their specific aura.

From The Daily Beast

The league also permanently banned four players for drug usage.

From The Daily Beast

“Ill-usage” expresses the date of the death of Columbus in 1506, as he died in great neglect.

From Project Gutenberg

Every rigor of hard fare, and severe usage, was inexorably brought upon him.

From Project Gutenberg

Age and usage were to be of no avail in bringing this wretched piece of workmanship up to the standard of the average.

From Project Gutenberg

Their rights and limitations in this regard are also bounded by charter, by-laws and usage.

From Project Gutenberg

The authority of a factor to fix the terms of selling may be by agreement or by usage, like any other agent.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• management