Use - Definition

n 1: the act of using; "he warned against the use of narcotic
drugs"; "skilled in the utilization of computers" [syn:
use, usage, utilization, utilisation, employment,
exercise]
2: what something is used for; "the function of an auger is to
bore holes"; "ballet is beautiful but what use is it?" [syn:
function, purpose, role, use]
3: a particular service; "he put his knowledge to good use";
"patrons have their uses"
4: (economics) the utilization of economic goods to satisfy
needs or in manufacturing; "the consumption of energy has
increased steadily" [syn: consumption, economic
consumption, usance, use, use of goods and services]
5: (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" [syn: habit, use]
6: exerting shrewd or devious influence especially for one's own
advantage; "his manipulation of his friends was scandalous"
[syn: manipulation, use]
7: (law) the exercise of the legal right to enjoy the benefits
of owning property; "we were given the use of his boat" [syn:
use, enjoyment]
v 1: 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" [syn: use, utilize, utilise, apply,
employ]
2: take or consume (regularly or habitually); "She uses drugs
rarely" [syn: use, habituate]
3: use up, consume fully; "The legislature expended its time on
school questions" [syn: use, expend]
4: 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: avail oneself to; "apply a principle"; "practice a religion";
"use care when going down the stairs"; "use your common
sense"; "practice non-violent resistance" [syn: practice,
apply, use]
6: 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"