v.

1. put into service; make work or employ           (something) for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose;
   use, utilize, utilise, employ
   
   • use your head!
   • we only use Spanish at home
   • I can't use this tool
   • Apply a magnetic field here
   • This thinking was applied to many projects
   • How do you utilize this tool?
   • I apply this rule to get good results
   • use the plastic bags to store the food
   • He doesn't know how to use a computer
2. be pertinent or relevant or applicable;
   hold, go for
   
   • The same laws apply to you!
   • This theory holds for all irrational numbers
   • The same rules go for everyone
3. ask (for something)
   
   • He applied for a leave of absence
   • She applied for college
   • apply for a job
4. apply to a surface;
   put on
   
   • She applied paint to the back of the house
   • Put on make-up!
5. be applicable to; as to an analysis;
   lend oneself
   
   • This theory lends itself well to our new data
6. give or convey physically;
   give
   
   • She gave him First Aid
   • I gave him a punch in the nose
7. avail oneself to;
   practice, use
   
   • apply a principle
   • practice a religion
   • use care when going down the stairs
   • use your common sense
   • practice non-violent resistance
8. ensure observance of laws and rules; "Apply the rules to everyone";;
   enforce, implement
9. refer (a word or name) to a person or thing
   
   • He applied this racial slur to me!
10. apply oneself to
    
    • Please apply yourself to your homework