usage

Everyday

1. Usage is the way words are used in a language, including what is right and normal. tree →
2. Usage is how much of something is used: water usage, data usage. tree →
3. Usage is the way something is used or treated. tree →

In the lessons

In English lessons, "usage" notes explain how words are really used. In maths and science: energy or water usage per day, phone data usage, and graphs of usage. Phrases: in common usage, water usage, data usage, usage guide.

Examples

• The word "cool" has a new usage meaning great. tree →
• Our electricity usage goes up in winter. tree →
• Check your phone's data usage. tree →
• This word is not in common usage any more. tree →
• The chart shows daily water usage. tree →
• Rough usage broke the toy. tree →
• Usage notes in the dictionary help with grammar. tree →
• If usage is 20 litres a day, a week's usage is 140 litres. tree →
• He deferred, however, to universal usage when he entitled his volume "Les Contes en prose de Charles Perrault." tree →

Note

Mostly uncountable. Pronounced YOO-sij. Trap: in many sentences "use" is simpler and better than "usage". Maths: usage × time = total amount used.