Crossword Genius

States time for practice (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

usage

'practice' is the definition.
(usage is a kind of practice)

'states time for' is the wordplay.
'states' becomes 'us' (abbreviation for the United States).
'time for' becomes 'age' (I've seen this in other clues).
'us'+'age'='USAGE'

(Other definitions for usage that I've seen before include "Way of treating" , "Terminology - custom" , "phraseology" , "Employment - practice" , "Habit" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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