1. employment, exercise, usage, use, utilisation, utilization

the act of using

Example Sentences:
'he warned against the use of narcotic drugs'
'skilled in the utilization of computers'

• employment
• exercise
• usage
• utilisation
• utilization

2. function, purpose, role, use

what something is used for

Example Sentences:
'the function of an auger is to bore holes'
'ballet is beautiful but what use is it?'

• function
• purpose
• role

3. use

a particular service

Example Sentences:
'he put his knowledge to good use'
'patrons have their uses'

4. consumption, economic consumption, usance, use, use of goods and services

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

Example Sentences:
'the consumption of energy has increased steadily'

• consumption
• economic consumption
• usance
• use of goods and services

5. habit, use

(psychology) an automatic pattern of behavior in reaction to a specific situation; may be inherited or acquired through frequent repetition

Example Sentences:
'owls have nocturnal habits'
'she had a habit twirling the ends of her hair'
'long use had hardened him to it'

• habit

6. manipulation, use

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

Example Sentences:
'his manipulation of his friends was scandalous'

• manipulation

7. enjoyment, use

(law) the exercise of the legal right to enjoy the benefits of owning property

Example Sentences:
'we were given the use of his boat'

• enjoyment

8. apply, employ, use, utilise, utilize

put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose

Example Sentences:
'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'

• apply
• employ
• utilise
• utilize

9. habituate, use

take or consume (regularly or habitually)

Example Sentences:
'She uses drugs rarely'

• habituate

10. expend, use

use up, consume fully

Example Sentences:
'The legislature expended its time on school questions'

• expend

• consume
• deplete
• eat
• eat up
• exhaust
• run through
• use up
• wipe out

11. use

seek or achieve an end by using to one's advantage

Example Sentences:
'She uses her influential friends to get jobs'
'The president's wife used her good connections'

12. apply, practice, use

avail oneself to

Example Sentences:
'apply a principle'
'practice a religion'
'use care when going down the stairs'
'use your common sense'
'practice non-violent resistance'

• apply
• practice

13. use

habitually do something (use only in the past tense)

Example Sentences:
'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'