usage

UK: /ˈjuːsɪdʒ/, /ˈjuːzɪdʒ/

US: /ˈjusɪdʒ, -zɪdʒ/

US: (yo̅o̅′sij, -zij)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

us•age /ˈyusɪdʒ, -zɪdʒ/   n. 

1. [uncountable] a customary way of doing something;
   a custom or practice.
2. [uncountable] the customary manner in which a language or a form of a language is spoken or written.
3. a particular instance of this:
   [countable] a usage borrowed from French.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

us•age  (yo̅o̅′sij, -zij), n. 

1. a customary way of doing something;
   a custom or practice:
   the usages of the last 50 years.
2. the customary manner in which a language or a form of a language is spoken or written:
   English usage; a grammar based on usage rather than on arbitrary notions of correctness.
3. a particular instance of this:
   a usage borrowed from French.
4. any manner of doing or handling something;
   treatment:
   rough usage.
5. habitual or customary use;
   long-continued practice:
   immemorial usage.
6. an act of using or employing;
   use.

• Medieval Latin ūsāticum, equivalent. to Latin ūs(us) (see use) + -āticum -age
• Anglo-French, Old French
• Middle English 1250–1300

Synonyms

• 1. tradition, habit, convention.

Usage

The nouns usage and use are related in origin and meaning and to some extent overlap in their use. Usage usually refers to habitual or customary practices or procedures:
Some usages of the Anglican Church are similar to those of the Roman Catholic Church.
It is also commonly used in reference to language practices:
English usage is divided in the pronunciation of
aunt. Use refers to the act of using or employing (something):
She put her extra money to good use.
Perhaps in the belief that it is the more impressive term, usage is sometimes used where use would be more natural:
Has your usage of a personal computer made the work any easier?

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

usage / 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

Etymology: 14th Century: via Old French, from Latin ūsus use (n)