What is the meaning of apply?

verb

• Put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose.
  • usage: "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"
  • synonyms: use, utilize, utilise, employ
• Be pertinent or relevant or applicable.
  • usage: "The same laws apply to you"; "This theory holds for all irrational numbers"; "The same rules go for everyone"
  • synonyms: hold, go for
• Ask (for something. )
  • usage: "He applied for a leave of absence"; "She applied for college"; "apply for a job"
• Apply to a surface.
  • usage: "She applied paint to the back of the house"; "Put on make-up"
  • synonyms: put on
• Be applicable to; as to an analysis.
  • usage: "This theory lends itself well to our new data"
  • synonyms: lend oneself
• Give or convey physically.
  • usage: "She gave him First Aid"; "I gave him a punch in the nose"
  • synonyms: give
• Avail oneself to.
  • usage: "apply a principle"; "practice a religion"; "use care when going down the stairs"; "use your common sense"; "practice non-violent resistance"
  • synonyms: practice, use
• Ensure observance of laws and rules.
  • usage: "Apply the rules to everyone";
  • synonyms: enforce, implement
• Refer (a word or name) to a person or thing.
  • usage: "He applied this racial slur to me"
• Apply oneself to.
  • usage: "Please apply yourself to your homework"