utilize

verb

uti·​lize ˈyü-tə-ˌlīz How to pronounce utilize (audio)
utilized; utilizing

transitive verb

: to make use of : turn to practical use or account
I'm a great person for utilizing waste powerRobert Frost
utilizable adjective
utilization noun
utilizer noun
Choose the Right Synonym for utilize

use, employ, utilize mean to put into service especially to attain an end.

use implies availing oneself of something as a means or instrument to an end.

willing to use any means to achieve her ends

employ suggests the use of a person or thing that is available but idle, inactive, or disengaged.

looking for better ways to employ their skills

utilize may suggest the discovery of a new, profitable, or practical use for something.

an old wooden bucket utilized as a planter

Examples of utilize in a Sentence

Many of the library's resources are not utilized by townspeople. we must utilize all the tools at our disposal
Recent Examples on the Web The team believes that utilizing similar deep RL approaches for soccer, as well as many other tasks, could further improve bipedal robots movements and real-time adaptation capabilities. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 10 Apr. 2024 Any device running Android 9 or above can utilize the network, meaning pretty much anything from the past six years. Chris Morris, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2024 The Buckeyes utilized him at every position on the D-line. Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2024 Instead, those without glasses can utilize an indirect viewing method, such as by using an index card with a hole in it to project an image of the sun onto a nearby surface, the singer explained. USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024 Ranging from emerging names to those who are household names, these key individuals utilized the red carpet to express themselves. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024 While Timeline relied on app developers to work, this time around, AI Explorer utilizes a Neural Processing Unit chip on devices to scan through a timeline of events. Tom Warren, The Verge, 8 Apr. 2024 That way, the creatives could utilize the stage space for dancers. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024 According to the report cited by Detroit Free Press, Van der Walt was not prescribed ketamine and the substance was not utilized in resuscitation efforts at the crash site. Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'utilize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French utiliser, from utile

First Known Use

1807, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of utilize was in 1807

Dictionary Entries Near utilize

Cite this Entry

“Utilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/utilize. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

utilize

verb
uti·​lize ˈyüt-ᵊl-ˌīz How to pronounce utilize (audio)
utilized; utilizing
: to make use of especially for a certain job
utilization noun

More from Merriam-Webster on utilize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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