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use case

American  
[yoos keys] / ˈyus ˌkeɪs /

noun

  1. a scenario in which something is or may be useful; a particular situation in which something, especially a technology, is tested or employed.

    The pharmaceutical database offers filters for a variety of use cases, such as prescribing, pricing, and dispensing medication.

    The new feature works, but we would anticipate better performance in a real-world use case.


Etymology

Origin of use case

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"The primary use case for a humanoid robot today is to walk on stage and artificially inflate your share price," he says.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

"This use case illustrates how closely progress in high-performance computing and quantum research are intertwined today."

From Science Daily • May 11, 2026

The paper highlights a specific use case for Shor’s algorithm called an “on-spend attack.”

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

It just comes down to your use case and perhaps budget.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

Skeptics say humanoid robots are a bubble, and may never find a true use case.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 7, 2026

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