disuse
1 of 2verb
dis·use (ˌ)dis-ˈyüz 
dish-
disused; disusing; disuses
transitive verb
: to discontinue the use or practice of
disuse
2 of 2noun
dis·use (ˌ)dis-ˈyüs
dish-
: cessation of use or practice
Synonyms
Noun
- desuetude
- idleness
- inactivity
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun The room was dusty from disuse. since the car has experienced years of disuse, starting it up won't be easy
Recent Examples on the Web
Hari Kunzru, The New York Review of Books, 4 June 2020 New York Times, 29 June 2022 In 2004, structural concerns led to its disuse, despite an external face-lift in 2014. New York Times, 19 Oct. 2021 Around that time, the Chavín culture’s political power waned, and the site fell into disuse—at least as a major religious center. Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 13 June 2022 Other businesses followed — a plumbing-supply company, a furniture store — before the building slipped into disuse. New York Times, 30 May 2022 Sometimes as wide as 18 inches, summer beams fell into disuse after about 1750, when heavier floor joists were used. Regina Cole, Forbes, 3 May 2022 When the man who cared for the land and animals became ill, the area fell into disuse and residents started disposing of their garbage there. Siobhan Reid, Vogue, 20 Apr. 2022 The markers of day and evening had fallen into disuse. Kevin Barry, The New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2022 Buying old photo gear can be frustrating—a lot can go wrong inside a camera, especially after years of disuse. PCMAG, 9 Mar. 2022 See More
Verb
In the Russian language today, the entire vocabulary of principles and ideals has, after decades of abuse, been relegated to disuse. Hari Kunzru, The New York Review of Books, 4 June 2020 Noun
In the city, some public high school campuses have pools, but in last two decades, many have fallen into disuse. New York Times, 29 June 2022 In 2004, structural concerns led to its disuse, despite an external face-lift in 2014. New York Times, 19 Oct. 2021 Around that time, the Chavín culture’s political power waned, and the site fell into disuse—at least as a major religious center. Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 13 June 2022 Other businesses followed — a plumbing-supply company, a furniture store — before the building slipped into disuse. New York Times, 30 May 2022 Sometimes as wide as 18 inches, summer beams fell into disuse after about 1750, when heavier floor joists were used. Regina Cole, Forbes, 3 May 2022 When the man who cared for the land and animals became ill, the area fell into disuse and residents started disposing of their garbage there. Siobhan Reid, Vogue, 20 Apr. 2022 The markers of day and evening had fallen into disuse. Kevin Barry, The New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2022 Buying old photo gear can be frustrating—a lot can go wrong inside a camera, especially after years of disuse. PCMAG, 9 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing disuse
Kids Definition
disuse
noun
dis·use dis-ˈyüs
: lack of use
disuses
noun
as in inactivities
lack of use since the car has experienced years of disuse, starting it up won't be easy Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- inactivities
- neglects
- desuetudes
- abandonments
- abeyances
- dormancies
- quiescences
- desertions
- latencies
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- uses