Dictionary definition for: Apply

1. (v) put into service; make work or employ (something) for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose; "use your head!" "we only use Spanish at home" "I can''t make use of this tool" "Apply a magnetic field here" "This thinking was applied

2. (v) be pertinent or relevant or applicable; "The same laws apply to you!" "This theory holds for all irrational numbers" "The same rules go for everyone"

3. (v) ask (for something) "He applied for a leave of absence" "She applied for college" "apply for a job"

4. (v) apply to a surface; "She applied paint to the back of the house" "Put on make-up!"

5. (v) be applicable to; as to an analysis; "This theory lends itself well to our new data"

6. (v) give or convey physically; "She gave him First Aid" "I gave him a punch in the nose"

7. (v) avail oneself to; "apply a principle" "practice a religion" "use care when going down the stairs" "use your common sense" "practice non-violent resistance"

8. (v) ensure observance of laws and rules; "Apply the rules to everyone"

9. (v) refer (a word or name) to a person or thing; "He applied this racial slur to me!"

10. (v) apply oneself to; "Please apply yourself to your homework"