Definitions for use

Overview of noun use

The noun use has 7 senses? (first 6 from tagged texts)

1. (90) use, usage, utilization, utilisation, employment, exercise

(the act of using; "he warned against the use of narcotic drugs"; "skilled in the utilization of computers")

2. (18) function, purpose, role, use

(what something is used for; "the function of an auger is to bore holes"; "ballet is beautiful but what use is it?")

3. (7) use

(a particular service; "he put his knowledge to good use"; "patrons have their uses")

4. (1) consumption, economic consumption, usance, use, use of goods and services

((economics) the utilization of economic goods to satisfy needs or in manufacturing; "the consumption of energy has increased steadily")

5. (1) habit, use

((psychology) an automatic pattern of behavior in reaction to a specific situation; may be inherited or acquired through frequent repetition; "owls have nocturnal habits"; "she had a habit twirling the ends of her hair"; "long use had hardened him to it")

6. (1) manipulation, use

(exerting shrewd or devious influence especially for one's own advantage; "his manipulation of his friends was scandalous")

7. use, enjoyment

((law) the exercise of the legal right to enjoy the benefits of owning property; "we were given the use of his boat")

Overview of verb use

The verb use has 6 senses? (first 3 from tagged texts)

1. (603) use, utilize, utilise, apply, employ

(put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose; "use your head!"; "we only use Spanish at home"; "I can't use this tool"; "Apply a magnetic field here"; "This thinking was applied to many projects"; "How do you utilize this tool?"; "I apply this rule to get good results"; "use the plastic bags to store the food"; "He doesn't know how to use a computer")

2. (12) use, habituate

(take or consume (regularly or habitually); "She uses drugs rarely")

3. (8) use, expend

(use up, consume fully; "The legislature expended its time on school questions")

4. use

(seek or achieve an end by using to one's advantage; "She uses her influential friends to get jobs"; "The president's wife used her good connections")

5. practice, apply, use

(avail oneself to; "apply a principle"; "practice a religion"; "use care when going down the stairs"; "use your common sense"; "practice non-violent resistance")

6. use

(habitually do something (use only in the past tense); "She used to call her mother every week but now she calls only occasionally"; "I used to get sick when I ate in that dining hall"; "They used to vacation in the Bahamas")