use

Noun

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

• exerting shrewd or devious influence especially for one's own advantage
  • his manipulation of his friends was scandalous
    

• (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
    

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

• a particular service
  • he put his knowledge to good use
    
  • patrons have their uses
    

• what something is used for
  • the function of an auger is to bore holes
    
  • ballet is beautiful but what use is it?
    

• the act of using
  • he warned against the use of narcotic drugs
    
  • skilled in the utilization of computers
    

Verb

• 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
    

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

• 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
    

• use up, consume fully
  • The legislature expended its time on school questions
    

• take or consume (regularly or habitually)
  • She uses drugs rarely
    

• 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
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  enjoyment , manipulation , habit , consumption , economic consumption , usance , use of goods and services , function , purpose , role , usage , utilization , utilisation , employment , exercise , practice , apply , expend , habituate , utilize , utilise , employ