0 to put something such as a tool, skill, or building to a particular purpose: --
To use military force against the protesters would be unacceptable.
These lights are used for illuminating the playing area.
Going on the expedition gives me a chance to use all the training I've had.
[ + to infinitive ] Use scissors to cut the shapes out.
1 to reduce the amount of or finish something, by eating it, burning it, writing on it, or by a chemical reaction: --
2 to say or write a particular word or phrase: --
3 to take advantage of a person or situation; to exploit: --
4 In negative sentences and questions, "use to" replaces "used to" when it follows "did" or "didn't": --
5 a purpose for which something is used: --
She hurt her arm in the fall and lost the use of her fingers temporarily.
They said we could have the use of their beach house whenever they weren't there.
We might as well make use of the hotel's facilities.
Traditional farming methods are going out of/coming into use (= used less and less/more and more) in many areas.
There has been an increase in the use of migrant workers in recent years.
It's a name that has almost fallen out of use (= is hardly used now ).
a flat-screen TV that becomes a mirror when it is not in use
You should be able to put your experience in electronics to (good) use in your new job.
No, I don't want to buy a boat - I don't have any use for one!
Don't throw that cloth away - you'll find a use for it one day.
We disapprove of this use of company funds for political purposes.
There was a big controversy over the use of drugs in athletics.
We make helicopters mainly for military use rather than civil use.
I made good use of my time , mixing with a lot of different people and practising my Spanish.
After years of being used and abused by her husband, Ruth finally left him.
Many illegal immigrants are being shamefully used by unscrupulous employers.
She is just using the situation to gain a lot of cheap publicity.