1
a
: firmly established and generally accepted practice or procedure
b
: a uniform certain reasonable lawful practice existing in a particular locality or occupation and binding persons entering into transactions chiefly on the basis of presumed familiarity
c
: the way in which words and phrases are actually used (as in a particular form or sense) in a language community
2
a
: the action, amount, or mode of using
a decreased usage of electricity
b
: manner of treating
Examples of usage in a Sentence
Seat belt usage in the state is now mandatory.
drug usage among college students
Restaurant dishes must be able to withstand rough usage.
efforts to reduce water usage
increasing usage of the nation's highways
This word occurs in casual usage.
differences between British and American usage
I came across an uncommon usage I'd like to discuss with you.
Recent Examples on the Web
Athletes are tested for substances as part of the Monitoring Program during regular doping checks in order to gather data on usage, Fitzgerald explains.
—
Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 13 Feb. 2026
The initiative includes investments in additional energy generation and demand-reduction technologies during peak usage periods.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
The growth in connected TV usage proved most dramatic in Indonesia and the Philippines, highlighting how living room viewing on large screens is becoming central to the streaming category’s evolution.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Feb. 2026
The batteries will store electricity taken from the grid when usage and rates are lowest, primarily at night, and use it to charge cars during the day when rates are higher.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for usage
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Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 13 Feb. 2026
The initiative includes investments in additional energy generation and demand-reduction technologies during peak usage periods.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
The growth in connected TV usage proved most dramatic in Indonesia and the Philippines, highlighting how living room viewing on large screens is becoming central to the streaming category’s evolution.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Feb. 2026
The batteries will store electricity taken from the grid when usage and rates are lowest, primarily at night, and use it to charge cars during the day when rates are higher.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for usage
Cite this Entry
“Usage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/usage. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
usage
noun
us·age
ˈyü-sij, -zij 
: an habitual or uniform practice especially in an area or trade compare custom
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