title: Difference between CPU Usage and CPU Utilization?
body: <p>I was wondering if there is a scientific differentiation in terminology when speaking of CPU Usage and CPU Utilization. I have the feeling that both words are used as synonyms. They both describe the relation between CPU Time and CPU Capacity. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPU_time" rel="noreferrer">Wikipedia</a> calls it CPU Usage. <a href="http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/view-cpu-utilization-performance-information#1TC=windows-7" rel="noreferrer">Microsoft</a> uses CPU Utilization. But I also found an <a href="https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa173932(v=sql.80).aspx" rel="noreferrer">article</a> where Microsoft uses the term CPU Usage. Now <a href="http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&amp;cmd=displayKC&amp;externalId=2055995" rel="noreferrer">VMware</a> defines to use CPU Utilization in the context of physical CPUs and CPU Usage in the context of logical CPUs. Also, there is no tag for cpu_utilization in stackoverflow.</p>
  
  <p>Does anyone know a scientific differentiation?</p>