usability
noun
us·abil·i·ty
ˌyü-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē 
: the quality or state of being usable : ease of use
When netbooks arrived a couple of years ago, they were so tiny, only spider monkeys would find them usable. But as they've inched up in size and usability, their sales have taken off.—
David Pogue
David PogueOne of the other great problems of computer software is preoccupation with bells and whistles, rather than usability. Even software that began as easily usable can evolve over time into something so burdened with complicated (and trivial) features that it is a challenge to figure out how to do the simplest thing.—Thomas Sowell
Thomas SowellExamples of usability in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That’s why identity and access management (IAM) frameworks—when designed for both security and usability—are becoming foundational to modern cyber resilience.
—Fran Rosch, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
Some 78 years' worth of data on 1,300 Michigan lakes that had been recorded on index cards has been brought back to usability in a years-long digitization project.
—Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 14 July 2025
Samsung has certainly expanded the usability of the front display, but has yet to give it full access to all the phone’s apps.
—PC Magazine, 12 July 2025
Walmart $150 Ultimate Ears Ultimate Ears is a serial contributor to our Best Bluetooth speakers list, and the Boom 4 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is one of my favorites for its mix of smooth, balanced sound and excellent usability.
—Simon Hill, Wired News, 12 July 2025
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Fran Rosch, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
Some 78 years' worth of data on 1,300 Michigan lakes that had been recorded on index cards has been brought back to usability in a years-long digitization project.
—Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 14 July 2025
Samsung has certainly expanded the usability of the front display, but has yet to give it full access to all the phone’s apps.
—PC Magazine, 12 July 2025
Walmart $150 Ultimate Ears Ultimate Ears is a serial contributor to our Best Bluetooth speakers list, and the Boom 4 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is one of my favorites for its mix of smooth, balanced sound and excellent usability.
—Simon Hill, Wired News, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for usability
Cite this Entry
“Usability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/usability. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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