Hovedbruken

Hovedbruken is a Norwegian term that translates to “the main use” or “primary use.” It is formed from hoved, meaning main or principal, and bruk, meaning use or utilization. The phrase is used in everyday language as well as in specialized writing to denote the most common or intended way something is used, as opposed to secondary or incidental uses. In Norwegian, the definite form is hovedbruken, referring to the main use of a specific item or concept.

In linguistic and lexicographic contexts, hovedbruken is a descriptive concept used to identify the most frequent or primary function of a word, form, or construction within a given corpus or setting. Analysts may document the hovedbruken to distinguish it from subsidiary meanings or specialized uses, which helps illuminate patterns of polysemy, semantic change, and language use.

Beyond linguistics, the term can describe the primary usage scenario for a device, product, or service in design, policy, or user guidance. Because it is a general expression rather than a fixed technical term, its exact interpretation depends on the discipline and context.

Etymology and usage notes: hovedbruken reflects a straightforward composition of meaning—main use—with the definite form signaling a reference to a specific primary use in discourse. See also bruk, anvendelse, hoved, polysemy.