Crossword Genius

Employment for you and me a long time (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

usage

'employment' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'you and me a long time' is the wordplay.
'you and me' becomes 'us'.
'a long time' becomes 'age' (an age is a period of time).
'us'+'age'='USAGE'

'for' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for usage that I've seen before include "Style of language" , "phraseology" , "Usual practice" , "Acceptable language" , "Customary practice" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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