Usage is the way in which words are actually used in particular contexts, especially with regard to their meanings.
The word 'undertaker' had long been in common usage.
He was a stickler for the correct usage of English. [+ of]
2. countable noun
A usage is a meaning that a word has or a way in which it can be used.
It's very definitely a usage which has come over to Britain from America.
3. uncountable noun
Usage is the degree to which something is used or the way in which it is used.
Parts of the motor wore out because of constant usage.
If your water usage is very small, it may be worthwhile opting for a meter.
Synonyms: use, operation, employment, running More Synonyms of usage
More Synonyms of usage
usage in British English
(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
Word origin
C14: via Old French, from Latin ūsususe (n)
usage in American English
(ˈjusɪdʒ; ˈjuzɪdʒ)
noun
1.
the act, way, or extent of using or treating; treatment; use
2.
long-continued or established practice; habitual or customary use or way of acting; custom; habit
3.
the way in which a word, phrase, etc. is used to express a particular idea; customary manner of using the words of a given language in speaking or writing, or an instance of this
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈhabit
Word origin
OFr < ML usagium < L usus: see use
COBUILD Collocations
usage
common usage
Examples of 'usage' in a sentence
usage
Give your postcode and a few details about your energy usage.
The Sun (2016)
The price rise reminds us all that reviewing household energy usage is crucial as we head into the colder months.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It's a fact of English usage that whom has been in decline for a long time.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
As with most issues of English usage, if it sounds right then it is right.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
E-mail and text are forging new language and usage.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
To compare gun owning to car usage is ridiculous.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The app also gives tips on how to lower energy usage.
The Sun (2012)
This will require finding people willing to have a more intrusive log of their phone usage.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
These complaints about usage are very common.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Did your parents encourage you to learn correct usage?
Goshgarian, Gary Exploring language (6th edn) (1995)
Other gig promoters are also looking into energy usage.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In fact each industry seems to have its own particular usage with regard to payment terms.
Charles A. D'Ambrosio & Stewart D. Hodges & Richard Brealey & Stewart Myers Principles of Corporate Finance (1991)
How often does your partner or loved one complain about your phone usage?
The Sun (2013)
But actress is such common usage that it is acceptable.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Correct usage is like driving on the left or the right.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Keep your energy usage as low as possible to help to save money on bills.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It was once common usage to say of those who were deceived that their hopes had just been disappointed.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
You might find you would be better off selling your car and buying a bus pass or cutting car usage.
The Sun (2011)
Agree on phone and internet usage.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Most are of foreign origin adopted through English usage.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It would also be environmentally sound, transferring costs from car ownership to car usage.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Anyway, as it happens this may not have been seen as an offence against correct usage at the time.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
I think of English usage like that.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
I can find many examples through centuries of English usage.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This, perhaps, is the occupational hazard of all historians of language and usage.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
Car usage is down.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In other languages
usage
British English: usage NOUN
Usage is the way in which words are actually used in particular contexts, especially with regard to their meanings.
He was a stickler for the correct usage of the language.
American English: usage
Brazilian Portuguese: uso
Chinese: 使用词在特定语境中的
European Spanish: uso
French: usage
German: Gebrauch
Italian: uso
Japanese: 語法
Korean: 단어의 용법
European Portuguese: uso
Latin American Spanish: uso
1 (noun)
Definition
the way in which a word is actually used in a language
Certain words may not even be in modern usage.
Synonyms
phraseology
The phraseology of his speech was vivid as well as apt.
terminology
medical terminology
parlance
He is, in common parlance, a `sad loser'.
mode of expression
way of speaking or writing
2 (noun)
Definition
regular or constant use
Parts of the motor wore out because of constant usage.
Synonyms
use
research related to microcomputers and their use in classrooms
operation
Dials monitor every aspect of the operation of the aircraft.
employment
the employment of the safety car
running
in charge of the day-to-day running of the party
control
The first aim of his government would be to establish control over the republic's territory.
management
the responsibility for its day-to-day management
treatment
She was shocked at his treatment of his employees.
handling
The family has criticized the military's handling of the affair.
3 (noun)
a fruitful convergence with past usage and custom
Synonyms
practice
a public inquiry into bank practices
method
new teaching methods
procedure
He did not follow the correct procedure in applying for a visa.
form
a frequent broadcaster on correct form and dress
rule
The usual rule is to start as one group.
tradition
She has carried on the family tradition of giving away plants.
habit
It had become a habit with her to annoy him.
regime
custom
The custom of lighting the Olympic flame goes back centuries.
routine
The players had to change their daily routine.
convention
a social convention
mode
the capitalist mode of production
matter of course
wont
Keith woke early, as was his wont.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of control
Definition
power to direct something
The first aim of his government would be to establish control over the republic's territory.
Synonyms
power,
government,
rule,
authority,
management,
direction,
command,
discipline,
guidance,
supervision,
jurisdiction,
supremacy,
mastery,
superintendence,
charge
in the sense of convention
Definition
an accepted rule or method
a social convention
Synonyms
custom,
practice,
tradition,
code,
usage,
protocol,
formality,
etiquette,
propriety,
kawa (New Zealand),
tikanga (New Zealand),
rule
in the sense of custom
Definition
the long-established habits or traditions of a society
The custom of lighting the Olympic flame goes back centuries.
Synonyms
tradition,
practice,
convention,
ritual,
form,
policy,
rule,
style,
fashion,
usage,
formality,
etiquette,
observance,
praxis,
unwritten law,
kaupapa (New Zealand)
Synonyms of 'usage'
usage
Explore 'usage' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of employment
the employment of the safety car
Synonyms
use,
application,
exertion,
exercise,
utilization
in the sense of form
Definition
manners and etiquette
a frequent broadcaster on correct form and dress
Synonyms
procedure,
behaviour,
manners,
etiquette,
use,
rule,
conduct,
ceremony,
custom,
convention,
ritual,
done thing,
usage,
protocol,
formality,
wont,
right practice,
kawa (New Zealand),
tikanga (New Zealand)
in the sense of habit
Definition
established custom or use
It had become a habit with her to annoy him.
Synonyms
custom,
rule,
practice,
tradition,
routine,
convention,
mode,
usage,
wont,
second nature
in the sense of handling
The family has criticized the military's handling of the affair.
Synonyms
management,
running,
treatment,
approach,
administration,
conduct,
manipulation,
direction
in the sense of management
Definition
the technique or practice of managing or controlling
the responsibility for its day-to-day management
Synonyms
administration,
control,
rule,
government,
running,
charge,
care,
operation,
handling,
direction,
conduct,
command,
guidance,
supervision,
manipulation,
governance,
superintendence
in the sense of method
Definition
a way of doing something, esp. a systematic or regular one
new teaching methods
Synonyms
manner,
process,
approach,
technique,
way,
plan,
course,
system,
form,
rule,
programme,
style,
practice,
fashion,
scheme,
arrangement,
procedure,
routine,
mode,
modus operandi
in the sense of mode
Definition
a manner or way of doing, acting, or existing
the capitalist mode of production
Synonyms
method,
way,
plan,
course,
system,
form,
state,
process,
condition,
style,
approach,
quality,
practice,
fashion,
technique,
manner,
procedure,
custom,
vein
in the sense of operation
Definition
the act or method of operating
Dials monitor every aspect of the operation of the aircraft.
Synonyms
performance,
working,
running,
action,
movement,
functioning,
motion,
manipulation,
oper8n
in the sense of parlance
Definition
the manner of speaking associated with a particular group or subject
He is, in common parlance, a `sad loser'.
Synonyms
language,
talk,
speech,
tongue,
jargon,
idiom,
lingo (informal),
phraseology,
manner of speaking
in the sense of procedure
Definition
a way of doing something, esp. an established method
He did not follow the correct procedure in applying for a visa.
Synonyms
method,
policy,
process,
course,
system,
form,
action,
step,
performance,
operation,
practice,
scheme,
strategy,
conduct,
formula,
custom,
routine,
transaction,
plan of action,
modus operandi
Additional synonyms
in the sense of routine
Definition
a usual or regular method of procedure
The players had to change their daily routine.
Synonyms
procedure,
programme,
way,
order,
practice,
method,
pattern,
formula,
custom,
usage,
wont,
lockstep (US, Canadian)
in the sense of rule
The usual rule is to start as one group.
Synonyms
custom,
procedure,
practice,
routine,
form,
condition,
tradition,
habit,
convention,
wont,
order or way of things
in the sense of running
Definition
management or organization
in charge of the day-to-day running of the party
Synonyms
management,
control,
administration,
direction,
conduct,
charge,
leadership,
organization,
regulation,
supervision,
coordination,
superintendency
in the sense of terminology
Definition
the specialized words and expressions relating to a particular subject
medical terminology
Synonyms
language,
terms,
vocabulary,
jargon,
cant,
lingo (informal),
nomenclature,
patois,
phraseology,
argot
in the sense of tradition
Definition
a custom or practice of long standing
She has carried on the family tradition of giving away plants.
Synonyms
established practice,
custom,
convention,
habit,
ritual,
unwritten law
in the sense of treatment
Definition
a way of handling a person or thing
She was shocked at his treatment of his employees.