Other forms: utilized, utilizing, utilizes
To utilize is the formal word for putting something to work. Utilize the space, fully utilized, utilize resources.
It properly means making use of something for a purpose it was not obviously meant for, which is a real distinction — you use a hammer and you utilize a shoe as one. In practice it is used as a longer word for use, and plain-English guides tell writers to cut it. Note utilization; and that utility comes from the same Latin word meaning useful.
1verbutilizeTo put something to work for a purpose.
“The factory utilizes waste heat from its machines to warm the offices.”
utilize is a putting to use.
Also accepted in games: utilise, use
French utiliser comes through Italian from Latin utilis, useful, from uti, to use. Utility, utensil and usual come from the same using.
Latin
ūtilis
Italian
utilizzare
French
utiliser
English, today
utilize
Built from
From French utiliser, from Italian utilizzare, from utile (“useful”), from Latin ūtilis, from ūtī (“use”).
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA