use

the act of using

“he warned against the use of narcotic drugs”

“skilled in the utilization of computers”

what something is used for

“the function of an auger is to bore holes”

“ballet is beautiful but what use is it?”

a particular service

“he put his knowledge to good use”

“patrons have their uses”

(economics) the utilization of economic goods to satisfy needs or in manufacturing

“the consumption of energy has increased steadily”

(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”

exerting shrewd or devious influence especially for one's own advantage

“his manipulation of his friends was scandalous”

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”

take or consume (regularly or habitually)

“She uses drugs rarely”

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”

“They use him to write the letter”

avail oneself to

“apply a principle”

“practice a religion”

“use care when going down the stairs”

“use your common sense”

habitually do something or be in a certain state or place (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”

“she used to be his best friend and now they are enemies”

use up (resources or materials)

“this car consumes a lot of gas”

“We exhausted our savings”

“They run through 20 bottles of wine a week”