Crossword Genius

America, for example, backing employment (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

usage

'employment' is the definition.
('usage' can be a synonym of 'employment')

'america for example backing' is the wordplay.
'america' becomes 'usa' ('U.S.A.' can be a synonym of 'america').
'for example' becomes 'eg' ('e.g.' can be a synonym of 'for example').
'backing' is a reversal indicator.
'eg' back-to-front is 'ge'.
'usa'+'ge'='USAGE'

(Other definitions for usage that I've seen before include "Utilisation" , "Treatment, practice" , "Customary practice" , "Way of treating" , "Way of employing" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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