utilization

American

[yoot-l-ahy-zey-shuhn] / ˌjut l aɪˈzeɪ ʃən /

especially British, utilisation

noun

an act or instance of making practical or profitable use of something.

I don't think this plan results in the best utilization of tax dollars.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns

utilizations

plural

Etymology

Origin of utilization

First recorded in 1840–45; utiliz(e) ( def. ) + -ation ( def. )

Explanation

Utilization is a fancy way of saying "use." A team's utilization of a gym for practices might need to continue until it stops raining. You can see the verb utilize in utilization. When you utilize something, you use it, whether it is a tool, like when you utilize a pen to write something down, or a skill or talent, like the speed you utilize when you run a race. So utilization is the act of using, like the utilization of your voice that enables you to sing a song.

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Vocabulary lists containing utilization

Lessons 3–4

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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.

“If your business is built around utilization and that’s your known value, you basically have to redefine what you’re doing,” O’Dowd said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 2026

He expects lower plant utilization rates, weaker margins during a major turnaround at the Kertih complex and softer urea prices.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 23, 2026

In determining a credit score, utilization is the second most influential factor after payment history, so requesting a credit-limit increase to lower that utilization ratio is one strategic way consumers can boost their credit score.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 16, 2026

Refiners’ near-term earnings are likely to remain strong due to higher fuel margins, but those margins could compress if Hormuz reopens, allowing Middle Eastern refineries to restore output and Asian plants to raise utilization.

From Barron's • Jun. 7, 2026

PG&E was willing to put up extra money for research it might be able to exploit commercially, such as studies of “the utilization of electricity on the farm,” he wrote.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023