apply definition

1. be pertinent or relevant or applicable
• examples: The same laws apply to you!
• examples: This theory holds for all irrational numbers
• examples: The same rules go for everyone
2. ask (for something)
• examples: He applied for a leave of absence
• examples: She applied for college
• examples: apply for a job
3. refer (a word or name) to a person or thing
• examples: He applied this racial slur to me!
4. apply oneself to
• examples: Please apply yourself to your homework