Data Usage: Definition, Examples, and Tips

Meaning 1：data consumption (data usage)

data usage 🔊

/ˈdeɪtə ˈjuːsɪdʒ/

The amount of data that is used when you browse the internet or use apps on your phone or computer.

Smartphone graph showing monthly data usage by app

data consumption 🔊

➕

/ˈdeɪtə kənˈsʌmpʃən/

The amount of data transferred over a network during online activities, such as browsing or streaming.

📁 Category：Technological Inventions 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

'Data' from Latin 'datum' (given); 'usage' from Latin 'usus' (use).

💡 Mnemonic

Picture 'data' as coins in a digital wallet; 'usage' is spending. Monitor usage to avoid running out.

📖 Example

I need to check my data usage this month because I've been watching a lot of videos online. 🔊 I need to check my data usage this month because I've been watching a lot of videos online.

🔗 Collocations

high data usage – the condition of using a large amount of data

monitor data usage – to track the amount of data consumed

data usage limit – the maximum amount of data allowed per billing cycle

🔄 Synonyms

data consumption (n.) – the amount of data used

data traffic (n.) – the flow of data over a network

bandwidth usage (n.) – the amount of bandwidth consumed

🚫 Antonyms

data savings (n.) – the amount of data conserved or not used

📖 Cultural Story

The term 'data usage' gained prominence with the rise of mobile internet and data caps. It is a key metric in telecom billing, often monitored by users to avoid overage charges.