diff --git a/.flake8 b/.flake8
index 60d0a5518674..3c179f0ab298 100644
--- a/.flake8
+++ b/.flake8
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ per-file-ignores =
     tools/subset.py: E221, E251, E261, E302, E501
 
     lib/matplotlib/__init__.py: F401
+    lib/matplotlib/_api/__init__.py: F401
     lib/matplotlib/_cm.py: E202, E203, E302
     lib/matplotlib/_mathtext.py: E221, E251
     lib/matplotlib/_mathtext_data.py: E203, E261
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/_api/__init__.py b/lib/matplotlib/_api/__init__.py
index b2778410e0cd..96e7d03c33f0 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/_api/__init__.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/_api/__init__.py
@@ -15,6 +15,13 @@
 import sys
 import warnings
 
+from .deprecation import (
+    deprecated, warn_deprecated,
+    _rename_parameter, _delete_parameter, _make_keyword_only,
+    _deprecate_method_override, _deprecate_privatize_attribute,
+    _suppress_matplotlib_deprecation_warning,
+    MatplotlibDeprecationWarning)
+
 
 def check_in_list(_values, *, _print_supported_values=True, **kwargs):
     """
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/_api/deprecation.py b/lib/matplotlib/_api/deprecation.py
index c94b76c741c1..542cc25ae627 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/_api/deprecation.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/_api/deprecation.py
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ class MatplotlibDeprecationWarning(UserWarning):
 
 
 # mplDeprecation is deprecated. Use MatplotlibDeprecationWarning instead.
+# remove when removing the re-import from cbook
 mplDeprecation = MatplotlibDeprecationWarning
 
 
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/_mathtext.py b/lib/matplotlib/_mathtext.py
index 72e09a9fcea0..ffa8de4b651a 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/_mathtext.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/_mathtext.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
     ParseResults, QuotedString, Regex, StringEnd, Suppress, ZeroOrMore)
 
 import matplotlib as mpl
-from . import cbook
+from . import _api, cbook
 from ._mathtext_data import (
     latex_to_bakoma, latex_to_standard, stix_virtual_fonts, tex2uni)
 from .afm import AFM
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ def __init__(self, default_font_prop, mathtext_backend):
         self.mathtext_backend = mathtext_backend
         self.used_characters = {}
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4")
     def destroy(self):
         """
         Fix any cyclical references before the object is about
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ def __init__(self, default_font_prop, mathtext_backend):
         self._fonts['default'] = default_font
         self._fonts['regular'] = default_font
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4")
     def destroy(self):
         self.glyphd = None
         super().destroy()
@@ -1577,43 +1577,43 @@ def grow(self):
 # Some convenient ways to get common kinds of glue
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="Glue('fil')")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="Glue('fil')")
 class Fil(Glue):
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__('fil')
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="Glue('fill')")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="Glue('fill')")
 class Fill(Glue):
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__('fill')
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="Glue('filll')")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="Glue('filll')")
 class Filll(Glue):
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__('filll')
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="Glue('neg_fil')")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="Glue('neg_fil')")
 class NegFil(Glue):
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__('neg_fil')
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="Glue('neg_fill')")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="Glue('neg_fill')")
 class NegFill(Glue):
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__('neg_fill')
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="Glue('neg_filll')")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="Glue('neg_filll')")
 class NegFilll(Glue):
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__('neg_filll')
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="Glue('ss')")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="Glue('ss')")
 class SsGlue(Glue):
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__('ss')
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/animation.py b/lib/matplotlib/animation.py
index 4edeb05ae4bc..c493681763d8 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/animation.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/animation.py
@@ -445,7 +445,7 @@ def __del__(self):
         if self._tmpdir:
             self._tmpdir.cleanup()
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     @property
     def clear_temp(self):
         return self._clear_temp
@@ -641,7 +641,7 @@ def _args(self):
 
 
 # Base class of avconv information.  AVConv has identical arguments to FFMpeg.
-@cbook.deprecated('3.3')
+@_api.deprecated('3.3')
 class AVConvBase(FFMpegBase):
     """
     Mixin class for avconv output.
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/artist.py b/lib/matplotlib/artist.py
index 5126471cf533..1b696813abc8 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/artist.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/artist.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 import numpy as np
 
 import matplotlib as mpl
-from . import cbook, docstring
+from . import _api, cbook, docstring
 from .path import Path
 from .transforms import (Bbox, IdentityTransform, Transform, TransformedBbox,
                          TransformedPatchPath, TransformedPath)
@@ -456,7 +456,7 @@ def contains(self, mouseevent):
         _log.warning("%r needs 'contains' method", self.__class__.__name__)
         return False, {}
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="set_picker")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="set_picker")
     def set_contains(self, picker):
         """
         Define a custom contains test for the artist.
@@ -484,7 +484,7 @@ def contains(artist: Artist, event: MouseEvent) -> bool, dict
             raise TypeError("picker is not a callable")
         self._contains = picker
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="get_picker")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="get_picker")
     def get_contains(self):
         """
         Return the custom contains function of the artist if set, or *None*.
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/axes/_base.py b/lib/matplotlib/axes/_base.py
index afe74b4e32e8..f8ad75bb11ea 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/axes/_base.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/axes/_base.py
@@ -1602,7 +1602,7 @@ def get_data_ratio(self):
         ysize = max(abs(tymax - tymin), 1e-30)
         return ysize / xsize
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.2")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.2")
     def get_data_ratio_log(self):
         """
         Return the aspect ratio of the raw data in log scale.
@@ -2213,7 +2213,7 @@ def update_datalim(self, xys, updatex=True, updatey=True):
                                          updatex=updatex, updatey=updatey)
         self.ignore_existing_data_limits = False
 
-    @cbook.deprecated(
+    @_api.deprecated(
         "3.3", alternative="ax.dataLim.set(Bbox.union([ax.dataLim, bounds]))")
     def update_datalim_bounds(self, bounds):
         """
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/axes/_subplots.py b/lib/matplotlib/axes/_subplots.py
index 6fb17116342d..94c5264b369f 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/axes/_subplots.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/axes/_subplots.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import functools
 import uuid
 
-from matplotlib import cbook, docstring
+from matplotlib import _api, cbook, docstring
 import matplotlib.artist as martist
 from matplotlib.axes._axes import Axes
 from matplotlib.gridspec import GridSpec, SubplotSpec
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ def __reduce__(self):
                 (axes_class,),
                 self.__getstate__())
 
-    @cbook.deprecated(
+    @_api.deprecated(
         "3.4", alternative="get_subplotspec",
         addendum="(get_subplotspec returns a SubplotSpec instance.)")
     def get_geometry(self):
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ def get_geometry(self):
         rows, cols, num1, num2 = self.get_subplotspec().get_geometry()
         return rows, cols, num1 + 1  # for compatibility
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4", alternative="set_subplotspec")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4", alternative="set_subplotspec")
     def change_geometry(self, numrows, numcols, num):
         """Change subplot geometry, e.g., from (1, 1, 1) to (2, 2, 3)."""
         self._subplotspec = GridSpec(numrows, numcols,
@@ -76,51 +76,51 @@ def get_gridspec(self):
         """Return the `.GridSpec` instance associated with the subplot."""
         return self._subplotspec.get_gridspec()
 
-    @cbook.deprecated(
+    @_api.deprecated(
         "3.4", alternative="get_subplotspec().get_position(self.figure)")
     @property
     def figbox(self):
         return self.get_subplotspec().get_position(self.figure)
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4", alternative="get_gridspec().nrows")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4", alternative="get_gridspec().nrows")
     @property
     def numRows(self):
         return self.get_gridspec().nrows
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4", alternative="get_gridspec().ncols")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4", alternative="get_gridspec().ncols")
     @property
     def numCols(self):
         return self.get_gridspec().ncols
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4")
     def update_params(self):
         """Update the subplot position from ``self.figure.subplotpars``."""
         # Now a no-op, as figbox/numRows/numCols are (deprecated) auto-updating
         # properties.
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.2", alternative="ax.get_subplotspec().rowspan.start")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.2", alternative="ax.get_subplotspec().rowspan.start")
     @property
     def rowNum(self):
         return self.get_subplotspec().rowspan.start
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.2", alternative="ax.get_subplotspec().colspan.start")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.2", alternative="ax.get_subplotspec().colspan.start")
     @property
     def colNum(self):
         return self.get_subplotspec().colspan.start
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4", alternative="ax.get_subplotspec().is_first_row()")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4", alternative="ax.get_subplotspec().is_first_row()")
     def is_first_row(self):
         return self.get_subplotspec().rowspan.start == 0
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4", alternative="ax.get_subplotspec().is_last_row()")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4", alternative="ax.get_subplotspec().is_last_row()")
     def is_last_row(self):
         return self.get_subplotspec().rowspan.stop == self.get_gridspec().nrows
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4", alternative="ax.get_subplotspec().is_first_col()")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4", alternative="ax.get_subplotspec().is_first_col()")
     def is_first_col(self):
         return self.get_subplotspec().colspan.start == 0
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4", alternative="ax.get_subplotspec().is_last_col()")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4", alternative="ax.get_subplotspec().is_last_col()")
     def is_last_col(self):
         return self.get_subplotspec().colspan.stop == self.get_gridspec().ncols
 
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/axis.py b/lib/matplotlib/axis.py
index f9aaafc66ddc..1cf574756955 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/axis.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/axis.py
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ def __init__(self, axes, loc, label=None,
         self.update_position(loc)
 
     @property
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.1", alternative="Tick.label1", pending=True)
+    @_api.deprecated("3.1", alternative="Tick.label1", pending=True)
     def label(self):
         return self.label1
 
@@ -796,7 +796,7 @@ def clear(self):
         self.set_units(None)
         self.stale = True
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4", alternative="Axis.clear()")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4", alternative="Axis.clear()")
     def cla(self):
         """Clear this axis."""
         return self.clear()
@@ -1011,13 +1011,13 @@ def get_ticklabel_extents(self, renderer):
             bbox2 = mtransforms.Bbox.from_extents(0, 0, 0, 0)
         return bbox, bbox2
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.2")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.2")
     def set_smart_bounds(self, value):
         """Set the axis to have smart bounds."""
         self._smart_bounds = value
         self.stale = True
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.2")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.2")
     def get_smart_bounds(self):
         """Return whether the axis has smart bounds."""
         return self._smart_bounds
@@ -1900,12 +1900,12 @@ def _update_offset_text_position(self, bboxes, bboxes2):
         """
         raise NotImplementedError('Derived must override')
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def pan(self, numsteps):
         """Pan by *numsteps* (can be positive or negative)."""
         self.major.locator.pan(numsteps)
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def zoom(self, direction):
         """Zoom in/out on axis; if *direction* is >0 zoom in, else zoom out."""
         self.major.locator.zoom(direction)
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py b/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py
index 7f2ab50a56b2..f282adff26cc 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@
 
 import matplotlib as mpl
 from matplotlib import (
-    backend_tools as tools, cbook, colors, textpath, tight_bbox,
+    _api, backend_tools as tools, cbook, colors, textpath, tight_bbox,
     transforms, widgets, get_backend, is_interactive, rcParams)
 from matplotlib._pylab_helpers import Gcf
 from matplotlib.backend_managers import ToolManager
@@ -2254,7 +2254,7 @@ def get_default_filetype(cls):
         """
         return rcParams['savefig.format']
 
-    @cbook.deprecated(
+    @_api.deprecated(
         "3.4", alternative="manager.get_window_title or GUI-specific methods")
     def get_window_title(self):
         """
@@ -2264,7 +2264,7 @@ def get_window_title(self):
         if self.manager is not None:
             return self.manager.get_window_title()
 
-    @cbook.deprecated(
+    @_api.deprecated(
         "3.4", alternative="manager.set_window_title or GUI-specific methods")
     def set_window_title(self, title):
         """
@@ -2945,7 +2945,7 @@ def forward(self, *args):
         self.set_history_buttons()
         self._update_view()
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="__init__")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="__init__")
     def _init_toolbar(self):
         """
         This is where you actually build the GUI widgets (called by
@@ -3050,11 +3050,11 @@ def _zoom_pan_handler(self, event):
             elif event.name == "button_release_event":
                 self.release_zoom(event)
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def press(self, event):
         """Called whenever a mouse button is pressed."""
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def release(self, event):
         """Callback for mouse button release."""
 
@@ -3247,7 +3247,7 @@ def push_current(self):
                  for ax in self.canvas.figure.axes}))
         self.set_history_buttons()
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="toolbar.canvas.draw_idle()")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="toolbar.canvas.draw_idle()")
     def draw(self):
         """Redraw the canvases, update the locators."""
         self._draw()
@@ -3471,7 +3471,7 @@ def set_message(self, s):
         raise NotImplementedError
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3")
 class StatusbarBase:
     """Base class for the statusbar."""
     def __init__(self, toolmanager):
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backend_tools.py b/lib/matplotlib/backend_tools.py
index b549bb1b9bf6..7c8a9fbfbfe6 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backend_tools.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backend_tools.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 
 import matplotlib as mpl
 from matplotlib._pylab_helpers import Gcf
-import matplotlib.cbook as cbook
+from matplotlib import _api, cbook
 
 _log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -404,7 +404,7 @@ def trigger(self, sender, event, data=None):
         mpl.backend_bases.key_press_handler(event, self.figure.canvas, None)
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3")
 class ToolEnableAllNavigation(_ToolEnableAllNavigation):
     pass
 
@@ -419,7 +419,7 @@ def trigger(self, sender, event, data=None):
         mpl.backend_bases.key_press_handler(event, self.figure.canvas, None)
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3")
 class ToolEnableNavigation(_ToolEnableNavigation):
     pass
 
@@ -619,7 +619,7 @@ def update_home_views(self, figure=None):
             if a not in self.home_views[figure]:
                 self.home_views[figure][a] = a._get_view()
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="self.figure.canvas.draw_idle()")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="self.figure.canvas.draw_idle()")
     def refresh_locators(self):
         """Redraw the canvases, update the locators."""
         self._refresh_locators()
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/_backend_tk.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/_backend_tk.py
index 69b57fc15d2a..3759fff9d47d 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backends/_backend_tk.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backends/_backend_tk.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 import numpy as np
 
 import matplotlib as mpl
-from matplotlib import backend_tools, cbook, _c_internal_utils
+from matplotlib import _api, backend_tools, cbook, _c_internal_utils
 from matplotlib.backend_bases import (
     _Backend, FigureCanvasBase, FigureManagerBase, NavigationToolbar2,
     StatusbarBase, TimerBase, ToolContainerBase, cursors, _Mode)
@@ -723,7 +723,7 @@ def set_message(self, s):
         self._message.set(s)
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3")
 class StatusbarTk(StatusbarBase, tk.Frame):
     def __init__(self, window, *args, **kwargs):
         StatusbarBase.__init__(self, *args, **kwargs)
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_agg.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_agg.py
index 09f16afa2131..16c5e64d0ae4 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_agg.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_agg.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@
 from PIL import Image
 
 import matplotlib as mpl
-from matplotlib import cbook
+from matplotlib import _api, cbook
 from matplotlib import colors as mcolors
 from matplotlib.backend_bases import (
     _Backend, _check_savefig_extra_args, FigureCanvasBase, FigureManagerBase,
@@ -115,14 +115,14 @@ def _update_methods(self):
         self.draw_quad_mesh = self._renderer.draw_quad_mesh
         self.copy_from_bbox = self._renderer.copy_from_bbox
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4")
     def get_content_extents(self):
         orig_img = np.asarray(self.buffer_rgba())
         slice_y, slice_x = cbook._get_nonzero_slices(orig_img[..., 3])
         return (slice_x.start, slice_y.start,
                 slice_x.stop - slice_x.start, slice_y.stop - slice_y.start)
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4")
     def tostring_rgba_minimized(self):
         extents = self.get_content_extents()
         bbox = [[extents[0], self.height - (extents[1] + extents[3])],
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_gtk3.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_gtk3.py
index 7587004fc685..1a322f91ac19 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_gtk3.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_gtk3.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 import sys
 
 import matplotlib as mpl
-from matplotlib import backend_tools, cbook
+from matplotlib import _api, backend_tools, cbook
 from matplotlib._pylab_helpers import Gcf
 from matplotlib.backend_bases import (
     _Backend, FigureCanvasBase, FigureManagerBase, NavigationToolbar2,
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ def __init__(self, figure):
         if renderer_init:
             renderer_init()
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="__init__")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="__init__")
     def _renderer_init(self):
         pass
 
@@ -655,7 +655,7 @@ def set_message(self, s):
         self._message.set_label(s)
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3")
 class StatusbarGTK3(StatusbarBase, Gtk.Statusbar):
     def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
         StatusbarBase.__init__(self, *args, **kwargs)
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_pdf.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_pdf.py
index 2a4df4a6c967..49fc85842434 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_pdf.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_pdf.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
 from PIL import Image
 
 import matplotlib as mpl
-from matplotlib import _text_layout, cbook
+from matplotlib import _api, _text_layout, cbook
 from matplotlib._pylab_helpers import Gcf
 from matplotlib.backend_bases import (
     _Backend, _check_savefig_extra_args, FigureCanvasBase, FigureManagerBase,
@@ -716,7 +716,7 @@ def __init__(self, filename, metadata=None):
                      'ProcSet': procsets}
         self.writeObject(self.resourceObject, resources)
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     @property
     def used_characters(self):
         return self.file._character_tracker.used_characters
@@ -1844,7 +1844,7 @@ def __init__(self, file, image_dpi, height, width):
         self.gc = self.new_gc()
         self.image_dpi = image_dpi
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4")
     @property
     def mathtext_parser(self):
         return MathTextParser("Pdf")
@@ -1879,12 +1879,12 @@ def check_gc(self, gc, fillcolor=None):
         gc._fillcolor = orig_fill
         gc._effective_alphas = orig_alphas
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def track_characters(self, *args, **kwargs):
         """Keep track of which characters are required from each font."""
         self.file._character_tracker.track(*args, **kwargs)
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def merge_used_characters(self, *args, **kwargs):
         self.file._character_tracker.merge(*args, **kwargs)
 
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_pgf.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_pgf.py
index 1dc0401c028c..fa52c5eb7b59 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_pgf.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_pgf.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 from PIL import Image
 
 import matplotlib as mpl
-from matplotlib import cbook, font_manager as fm
+from matplotlib import _api, cbook, font_manager as fm
 from matplotlib.backend_bases import (
     _Backend, _check_savefig_extra_args, FigureCanvasBase, FigureManagerBase,
     GraphicsContextBase, RendererBase)
@@ -313,7 +313,7 @@ def finalize_latex(latex):
         self._expect("*pgf_backend_query_start")
         self._expect_prompt()
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def latex_stdin_utf8(self):
         return self.latex.stdin
 
@@ -743,27 +743,27 @@ def points_to_pixels(self, points):
         return points * mpl_pt_to_in * self.dpi
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="GraphicsContextBase")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="GraphicsContextBase")
 class GraphicsContextPgf(GraphicsContextBase):
     pass
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.4")
+@_api.deprecated("3.4")
 class TmpDirCleaner:
     _remaining_tmpdirs = set()
 
     @cbook._classproperty
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4")
     def remaining_tmpdirs(cls):
         return cls._remaining_tmpdirs
 
     @staticmethod
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4")
     def add(tmpdir):
         TmpDirCleaner._remaining_tmpdirs.add(tmpdir)
 
     @staticmethod
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4")
     @atexit.register
     def cleanup_remaining_tmpdirs():
         for tmpdir in TmpDirCleaner._remaining_tmpdirs:
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_ps.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_ps.py
index 62cbadaf811b..6a16e61873b5 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_ps.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_ps.py
@@ -254,12 +254,12 @@ def __init__(self, width, height, pswriter, imagedpi=72):
 
         self._character_tracker = _backend_pdf_ps.CharacterTracker()
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def track_characters(self, *args, **kwargs):
         """Keep track of which characters are required from each font."""
         self._character_tracker.track(*args, **kwargs)
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def merge_used_characters(self, *args, **kwargs):
         self._character_tracker.merge(*args, **kwargs)
 
@@ -840,7 +840,7 @@ def _is_transparent(rgb_or_rgba):
         return False
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.4", alternative="GraphicsContextBase")
+@_api.deprecated("3.4", alternative="GraphicsContextBase")
 class GraphicsContextPS(GraphicsContextBase):
     def get_capstyle(self):
         return {'butt': 0, 'round': 1, 'projecting': 2}[super().get_capstyle()]
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_qt5.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_qt5.py
index 162af99f0efa..1144a93318f1 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_qt5.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_qt5.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 import traceback
 
 import matplotlib as mpl
-from matplotlib import backend_tools, cbook
+from matplotlib import _api, backend_tools, cbook
 from matplotlib._pylab_helpers import Gcf
 from matplotlib.backend_bases import (
     _Backend, FigureCanvasBase, FigureManagerBase, NavigationToolbar2,
@@ -683,17 +683,17 @@ def __init__(self, canvas, parent, coordinates=True):
 
         NavigationToolbar2.__init__(self, canvas)
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="self.canvas.parent()")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="self.canvas.parent()")
     @property
     def parent(self):
         return self.canvas.parent()
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="self.canvas.setParent()")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="self.canvas.setParent()")
     @parent.setter
     def parent(self, value):
         pass
 
-    @cbook.deprecated(
+    @_api.deprecated(
         "3.3", alternative="os.path.join(mpl.get_data_path(), 'images')")
     @property
     def basedir(self):
@@ -956,7 +956,7 @@ def set_message(self, s):
         self.widgetForAction(self._message_action).setText(s)
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3")
 class StatusbarQt(StatusbarBase, QtWidgets.QLabel):
     def __init__(self, window, *args, **kwargs):
         StatusbarBase.__init__(self, *args, **kwargs)
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_svg.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_svg.py
index 4d9f3fcdbc3e..79e2be045abb 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_svg.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_svg.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 from PIL import Image
 
 import matplotlib as mpl
-from matplotlib import cbook
+from matplotlib import _api, cbook
 from matplotlib.backend_bases import (
      _Backend, _check_savefig_extra_args, FigureCanvasBase, FigureManagerBase,
      RendererBase)
@@ -311,7 +311,7 @@ def __init__(self, width, height, svgwriter, basename=None, image_dpi=72,
         self._write_metadata(metadata)
         self._write_default_style()
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4")
     @property
     def mathtext_parser(self):
         return MathTextParser('SVG')
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_wx.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_wx.py
index 8d2083d555e5..f1b4ba239d47 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_wx.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_wx.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
     GraphicsContextBase, MouseButton, NavigationToolbar2, RendererBase,
     StatusbarBase, TimerBase, ToolContainerBase, cursors)
 
-from matplotlib import cbook, backend_tools
+from matplotlib import _api, cbook, backend_tools
 from matplotlib._pylab_helpers import Gcf
 from matplotlib.backend_managers import ToolManager
 from matplotlib.figure import Figure
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@
 _DEBUG_lvls = {1: 'Low ', 2: 'Med ', 3: 'High', 4: 'Error'}
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3")
 def DEBUG_MSG(string, lvl=3, o=None):
     if lvl >= _DEBUG:
         print(f"{_DEBUG_lvls[lvl]}- {string} in {type(o)}")
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ def new_gc(self):
         self.gc.unselect()
         return self.gc
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative=".gc")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative=".gc")
     def get_gc(self):
         """
         Fetch the locally cached gc.
@@ -1160,7 +1160,7 @@ def _icon(name):
         return wx.Bitmap.FromBufferRGBA(
             image.shape[1], image.shape[0], image.tobytes())
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4")
     def get_canvas(self, frame, fig):
         return type(self.canvas)(frame, -1, fig)
 
@@ -1259,7 +1259,7 @@ def set_history_buttons(self):
             self.EnableTool(self.wx_ids['Forward'], can_forward)
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3")
 class StatusBarWx(wx.StatusBar):
     """
     A status bar is added to _FigureFrame to allow measurements and the
@@ -1361,7 +1361,7 @@ def set_message(self, s):
         self._label_text.SetLabel(s)
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3")
 class StatusbarWx(StatusbarBase, wx.StatusBar):
     """For use with ToolManager."""
     def __init__(self, parent, *args, **kwargs):
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/bezier.py b/lib/matplotlib/bezier.py
index b36e2c1aef0a..e0a9bcc51aa4 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/bezier.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/bezier.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 
 import numpy as np
 
-import matplotlib.cbook as cbook
+from matplotlib import _api, cbook
 
 
 # same algorithm as 3.8's math.comb
@@ -593,7 +593,7 @@ def make_wedged_bezier2(bezier2, width, w1=1., wm=0.5, w2=0.):
     return path_left, path_right
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated(
+@_api.deprecated(
     "3.3", alternative="Path.cleaned() and remove the final STOP if needed")
 def make_path_regular(p):
     """
@@ -611,7 +611,7 @@ def make_path_regular(p):
         return p
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="Path.make_compound_path()")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="Path.make_compound_path()")
 def concatenate_paths(paths):
     """Concatenate a list of paths into a single path."""
     from .path import Path
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/cm.py b/lib/matplotlib/cm.py
index ab06984e9479..7cf1be850884 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/cm.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/cm.py
@@ -502,10 +502,10 @@ def changed(self):
 
     update_dict = cbook._deprecate_privatize_attribute("3.3")
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def add_checker(self, checker):
         return self._add_checker(checker)
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def check_update(self, checker):
         return self._check_update(checker)
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/collections.py b/lib/matplotlib/collections.py
index 51c6c50a0305..1157b886b0e4 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/collections.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/collections.py
@@ -557,7 +557,7 @@ def get_offsets(self):
         else:
             return self._uniform_offsets
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def set_offset_position(self, offset_position):
         """
         Set how offsets are applied.  If *offset_position* is 'screen'
@@ -574,7 +574,7 @@ def set_offset_position(self, offset_position):
         self._offset_position = offset_position
         self.stale = True
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def get_offset_position(self):
         """
         Return how offsets are applied for the collection.  If
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/colorbar.py b/lib/matplotlib/colorbar.py
index c23aa5cf4fd5..92c21cdaf540 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/colorbar.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/colorbar.py
@@ -546,7 +546,7 @@ def draw_all(self):
         if self.filled:
             self._add_solids(X, Y, self._values[:, np.newaxis])
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def config_axis(self):
         self._config_axis()
 
@@ -1197,7 +1197,7 @@ def __init__(self, ax, mappable, **kwargs):
         mappable.colorbar_cid = mappable.callbacksSM.connect(
             'changed', self.update_normal)
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="update_normal")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="update_normal")
     def on_mappable_changed(self, mappable):
         """
         Update this colorbar to match the mappable's properties.
@@ -1255,7 +1255,7 @@ def update_normal(self, mappable):
                 self.add_lines(CS)
         self.stale = True
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="update_normal")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="update_normal")
     def update_bruteforce(self, mappable):
         """
         Destroy and rebuild the colorbar.  This is
@@ -1548,12 +1548,12 @@ def make_axes_gridspec(parent, *, location=None, orientation=None,
     return cax, kw
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.4", alternative="Colorbar")
+@_api.deprecated("3.4", alternative="Colorbar")
 class ColorbarPatch(Colorbar):
     pass
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.4", alternative="Colorbar")
+@_api.deprecated("3.4", alternative="Colorbar")
 def colorbar_factory(cax, mappable, **kwargs):
     """
     Create a colorbar on the given axes for the given mappable.
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/dates.py b/lib/matplotlib/dates.py
index 3b7af0d5d88f..ef4f34f57da1 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/dates.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/dates.py
@@ -163,9 +163,7 @@
 import numpy as np
 
 import matplotlib as mpl
-import matplotlib.units as units
-import matplotlib.cbook as cbook
-import matplotlib.ticker as ticker
+from matplotlib import _api, cbook, ticker, units
 
 __all__ = ('datestr2num', 'date2num', 'num2date', 'num2timedelta', 'drange',
            'epoch2num', 'num2epoch', 'mx2num', 'set_epoch',
@@ -598,7 +596,7 @@ class DateFormatter(ticker.Formatter):
     `~datetime.datetime.strftime` format string.
     """
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     @property
     def illegal_s(self):
         return re.compile(r"((^|[^%])(%%)*%s)")
@@ -630,7 +628,7 @@ def set_tzinfo(self, tz):
         self.tz = tz
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3")
 class IndexDateFormatter(ticker.Formatter):
     """Use with `.IndexLocator` to cycle format strings by index."""
 
@@ -1795,7 +1793,7 @@ def num2epoch(d):
     return np.asarray(d) * SEC_PER_DAY - dt
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.2")
+@_api.deprecated("3.2")
 def mx2num(mxdates):
     """
     Convert mx :class:`datetime` instance (or sequence of mx
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/docstring.py b/lib/matplotlib/docstring.py
index e39bf9711713..d0e661ffffd9 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/docstring.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/docstring.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import inspect
 
-from matplotlib import cbook
+from matplotlib import _api
 
 
 class Substitution:
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ def update(self, *args, **kwargs):
         self.params.update(*args, **kwargs)
 
     @classmethod
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="assign to the params attribute")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="assign to the params attribute")
     def from_params(cls, params):
         """
         In the case where the params is a mutable sequence (list or
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/dviread.py b/lib/matplotlib/dviread.py
index 067ec6243ba5..6f65de52b654 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/dviread.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/dviread.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@
 
 import numpy as np
 
-from matplotlib import cbook, rcParams
+from matplotlib import _api, cbook, rcParams
 
 _log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -952,7 +952,7 @@ def _parse(self, file):
                 encoding=encoding, filename=filename)
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3")
 class Encoding:
     r"""
     Parse a \*.enc file referenced from a psfonts.map style file.
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/gridspec.py b/lib/matplotlib/gridspec.py
index e3fcc625e5de..0cc14e082b22 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/gridspec.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/gridspec.py
@@ -737,7 +737,7 @@ def get_geometry(self):
         rows, cols = self.get_gridspec().get_geometry()
         return rows, cols, self.num1, self.num2
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="rowspan, colspan")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="rowspan, colspan")
     def get_rows_columns(self):
         """
         Return the subplot row and column numbers as a tuple
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/mathtext.py b/lib/matplotlib/mathtext.py
index 2396f0acf0ea..37589e267726 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/mathtext.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/mathtext.py
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ def get_hinting_type(self):
         return backend_agg.get_hinting_flag()
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.4", alternative="mathtext.math_to_image")
+@_api.deprecated("3.4", alternative="mathtext.math_to_image")
 class MathtextBackendBitmap(MathtextBackendAgg):
     def get_results(self, box, used_characters):
         ox, oy, width, height, depth, image, characters = \
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ def get_results(self, box, used_characters):
         return image, depth
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.4", alternative="MathtextBackendPath")
+@_api.deprecated("3.4", alternative="MathtextBackendPath")
 class MathtextBackendPs(MathtextBackend):
     """
     Store information to write a mathtext rendering to the PostScript backend.
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ def get_results(self, box, used_characters):
                               used_characters)
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.4", alternative="MathtextBackendPath")
+@_api.deprecated("3.4", alternative="MathtextBackendPath")
 class MathtextBackendPdf(MathtextBackend):
     """Store information to write a mathtext rendering to the PDF backend."""
 
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ def get_results(self, box, used_characters):
                                used_characters)
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.4", alternative="MathtextBackendPath")
+@_api.deprecated("3.4", alternative="MathtextBackendPath")
 class MathtextBackendSvg(MathtextBackend):
     """
     Store information to write a mathtext rendering to the SVG
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@ def get_results(self, box, used_characters):
                             self.rects)
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.4", alternative="MathtextBackendPath")
+@_api.deprecated("3.4", alternative="MathtextBackendPath")
 class MathtextBackendCairo(MathtextBackend):
     """
     Store information to write a mathtext rendering to the Cairo
@@ -359,7 +359,7 @@ class MathTextWarning(Warning):
     pass
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3")
 class GlueSpec:
     """See `Glue`."""
 
@@ -389,7 +389,7 @@ def factory(cls, glue_type):
                        for k, v in _mathtext._GlueSpec._named.items()}
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.4")
+@_api.deprecated("3.4")
 def ship(ox, oy, box):
     _mathtext.ship(ox, oy, box)
 
@@ -474,7 +474,7 @@ def _parse_cached(self, s, dpi, prop, force_standard_ps_fonts):
         font_output.set_canvas_size(box.width, box.height, box.depth)
         return font_output.get_results(box)
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4", alternative="mathtext.math_to_image")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4", alternative="mathtext.math_to_image")
     def to_mask(self, texstr, dpi=120, fontsize=14):
         r"""
         Convert a mathtext string to a grayscale array and depth.
@@ -500,7 +500,7 @@ def to_mask(self, texstr, dpi=120, fontsize=14):
         ftimage, depth = self.parse(texstr, dpi=dpi, prop=prop)
         return np.asarray(ftimage), depth
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4", alternative="mathtext.math_to_image")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4", alternative="mathtext.math_to_image")
     def to_rgba(self, texstr, color='black', dpi=120, fontsize=14):
         r"""
         Convert a mathtext string to an RGBA array and depth.
@@ -533,7 +533,7 @@ def to_rgba(self, texstr, color='black', dpi=120, fontsize=14):
         RGBA[:, :, 3] = x
         return RGBA, depth
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4", alternative="mathtext.math_to_image")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4", alternative="mathtext.math_to_image")
     def to_png(self, filename, texstr, color='black', dpi=120, fontsize=14):
         r"""
         Render a tex expression to a PNG file.
@@ -561,7 +561,7 @@ def to_png(self, filename, texstr, color='black', dpi=120, fontsize=14):
         Image.fromarray(rgba).save(filename, format="png")
         return depth
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4", alternative="mathtext.math_to_image")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4", alternative="mathtext.math_to_image")
     def get_depth(self, texstr, dpi=120, fontsize=14):
         r"""
         Get the depth of a mathtext string.
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/offsetbox.py b/lib/matplotlib/offsetbox.py
index 0fd7317b1fe0..32443d2a2be1 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/offsetbox.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/offsetbox.py
@@ -838,7 +838,7 @@ def get_multilinebaseline(self):
         """
         return self._multilinebaseline
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4")
     def set_minimumdescent(self, t):
         """
         Set minimumdescent.
@@ -851,7 +851,7 @@ def set_minimumdescent(self, t):
         self._minimumdescent = t
         self.stale = True
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4")
     def get_minimumdescent(self):
         """
         Get minimumdescent.
@@ -1719,7 +1719,7 @@ def on_motion(self, evt):
             else:
                 self.canvas.draw()
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="self.on_motion")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="self.on_motion")
     def on_motion_blit(self, evt):
         if self._check_still_parented() and self.got_artist:
             dx = evt.x - self.mouse_x
@@ -1772,7 +1772,7 @@ def disconnect(self):
         else:
             self.canvas.mpl_disconnect(c1)
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="self.ref_artist.contains")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="self.ref_artist.contains")
     def artist_picker(self, artist, evt):
         return self.ref_artist.contains(evt)
 
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/patches.py b/lib/matplotlib/patches.py
index d62b54015c47..dcf21c59b997 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/patches.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/patches.py
@@ -1969,7 +1969,7 @@ class BoxStyle(_Style):
 
     _style_list = {}
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4")
     class _Base:
         """
         Abstract base class for styling of `.FancyBboxPatch`.
@@ -1988,7 +1988,7 @@ class _Base:
         It returns the outline of the fancy box as `.path.Path`.
         """
 
-        @cbook.deprecated("3.4")
+        @_api.deprecated("3.4")
         def transmute(self, x0, y0, width, height, mutation_size):
             """Return the `~.path.Path` outlining the given rectangle."""
             return self(self, x0, y0, width, height, mutation_size, 1)
@@ -3991,7 +3991,7 @@ def __init__(self, posA=None, posB=None, path=None,
 
         self._dpi_cor = dpi_cor
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4")
     def set_dpi_cor(self, dpi_cor):
         """
         dpi_cor is currently used for linewidth-related things and
@@ -4004,7 +4004,7 @@ def set_dpi_cor(self, dpi_cor):
         self._dpi_cor = dpi_cor
         self.stale = True
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4")
     def get_dpi_cor(self):
         """
         dpi_cor is currently used for linewidth-related things and
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/projections/polar.py b/lib/matplotlib/projections/polar.py
index feb1b41fa2db..965da628b0a9 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/projections/polar.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/projections/polar.py
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ def __call__(self):
         else:
             return np.deg2rad(self.base())
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def pan(self, numsteps):
         return self.base.pan(numsteps)
 
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ def view_limits(self, vmin, vmax):
         vmin, vmax = np.rad2deg((vmin, vmax))
         return np.deg2rad(self.base.view_limits(vmin, vmax))
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def zoom(self, direction):
         return self.base.zoom(direction)
 
@@ -383,7 +383,7 @@ def clear(self):
         self.set_ticks_position('none')
         self._wrap_locator_formatter()
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4", alternative="ThetaAxis.clear()")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4", alternative="ThetaAxis.clear()")
     def cla(self):
         self.clear()
 
@@ -431,15 +431,15 @@ def __call__(self):
         else:
             return [tick for tick in self.base() if tick > rorigin]
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def pan(self, numsteps):
         return self.base.pan(numsteps)
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def zoom(self, direction):
         return self.base.zoom(direction)
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def refresh(self):
         # docstring inherited
         return self.base.refresh()
@@ -689,7 +689,7 @@ def clear(self):
         self.set_ticks_position('none')
         self._wrap_locator_formatter()
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4", alternative="RadialAxis.clear()")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4", alternative="RadialAxis.clear()")
     def cla(self):
         self.clear()
 
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/quiver.py b/lib/matplotlib/quiver.py
index 844a23cc5c4b..ae19fba35b00 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/quiver.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/quiver.py
@@ -374,7 +374,7 @@ def contains(self, mouseevent):
             return True, {}
         return False, {}
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.2")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.2")
     @property
     def quiverkey_doc(self):
         return self.__init__.__doc__
@@ -514,7 +514,7 @@ def on_dpi_change(fig):
 
         self._cid = ax.figure.callbacks.connect('dpi_changed', on_dpi_change)
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="axes")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="axes")
     def ax(self):
         return self.axes
 
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/rcsetup.py b/lib/matplotlib/rcsetup.py
index 8d56a272d1ec..ad134b80599a 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/rcsetup.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/rcsetup.py
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ def validate_bool(b):
         raise ValueError('Could not convert "%s" to bool' % b)
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3")
 def validate_bool_maybe_none(b):
     """Convert b to ``bool`` or raise, passing through *None*."""
     if isinstance(b, str):
@@ -310,7 +310,7 @@ def validate_backend(s):
     _deprecated_since="3.3")
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3")
 def _make_nseq_validator(cls, n=None, allow_none=False):
 
     def validator(s):
@@ -336,12 +336,12 @@ def validator(s):
     return validator
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3")
 def validate_nseq_float(n):
     return _make_nseq_validator(float, n)
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3")
 def validate_nseq_int(n):
     return _make_nseq_validator(int, n)
 
@@ -666,7 +666,7 @@ def validate_markevery(s):
     'svg.fonttype', ['none', 'path'], _deprecated_since="3.3")
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3")
 def validate_hinting(s):
     return _validate_hinting(s)
 
@@ -684,7 +684,7 @@ def validate_hinting(s):
     _deprecated_since="3.3")
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3")
 def validate_movie_writer(s):
     # writers.list() would only list actually available writers, but
     # FFMpeg.isAvailable is slow and not worth paying for at every import.
@@ -971,7 +971,7 @@ def validate_hist_bins(s):
                      " a sequence of floats".format(valid_strs))
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3")
 def validate_webagg_address(s):
     if s is not None:
         import socket
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/scale.py b/lib/matplotlib/scale.py
index e5e9d012f3b0..57d97d791d3c 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/scale.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/scale.py
@@ -256,12 +256,12 @@ class LogScale(ScaleBase):
     """
     name = 'log'
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="scale.LogTransform")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="scale.LogTransform")
     @property
     def LogTransform(self):
         return LogTransform
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="scale.InvertedLogTransform")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="scale.InvertedLogTransform")
     @property
     def InvertedLogTransform(self):
         return InvertedLogTransform
@@ -452,12 +452,12 @@ class SymmetricalLogScale(ScaleBase):
     """
     name = 'symlog'
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="scale.SymmetricalLogTransform")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="scale.SymmetricalLogTransform")
     @property
     def SymmetricalLogTransform(self):
         return SymmetricalLogTransform
 
-    @cbook.deprecated(
+    @_api.deprecated(
         "3.3", alternative="scale.InvertedSymmetricalLogTransform")
     @property
     def InvertedSymmetricalLogTransform(self):
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/spines.py b/lib/matplotlib/spines.py
index 20f103dcceb9..76d0b5745024 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/spines.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/spines.py
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ def __init__(self, axes, spine_type, path, **kwargs):
         # Note: This cannot be calculated until this is added to an Axes
         self._patch_transform = mtransforms.IdentityTransform()
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.2")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.2")
     def set_smart_bounds(self, value):
         """Set the spine and associated axis to have smart bounds."""
         self._smart_bounds = value
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ def set_smart_bounds(self, value):
             self.axes.xaxis.set_smart_bounds(value)
         self.stale = True
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.2")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.2")
     def get_smart_bounds(self):
         """Return whether the spine has smart bounds."""
         return self._smart_bounds
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ def clear(self):
         if self.axis is not None:
             self.axis.clear()
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4", alternative="Spine.clear()")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4", alternative="Spine.clear()")
     def cla(self):
         self.clear()
 
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/testing/compare.py b/lib/matplotlib/testing/compare.py
index 40e6691eec74..9c2181c1cd8d 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/testing/compare.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/testing/compare.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 from PIL import Image
 
 import matplotlib as mpl
-from matplotlib import cbook
+from matplotlib import _api, cbook
 from matplotlib.testing.exceptions import ImageComparisonFailure
 
 _log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ def get_file_hash(path, block_size=2 ** 20):
     return md5.hexdigest()
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3")
 def make_external_conversion_command(cmd):
     def convert(old, new):
         cmdline = cmd(old, new)
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/texmanager.py b/lib/matplotlib/texmanager.py
index a64938432b2b..1d892043c66e 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/texmanager.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/texmanager.py
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
 import numpy as np
 
 import matplotlib as mpl
-from matplotlib import cbook, dviread, rcParams
+from matplotlib import _api, cbook, dviread, rcParams
 
 _log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ def make_tex(self, tex, fontsize):
     _re_vbox = re.compile(
         r"MatplotlibBox:\(([\d.]+)pt\+([\d.]+)pt\)x([\d.]+)pt")
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def make_tex_preview(self, tex, fontsize):
         """
         Generate a tex file to render the tex string at a specific font size.
@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@ def make_dvi(self, tex, fontsize):
                 (Path(tmpdir) / Path(dvifile).name).replace(dvifile)
         return dvifile
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def make_dvi_preview(self, tex, fontsize):
         """
         Generate a dvi file containing latex's layout of tex string.
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/ticker.py b/lib/matplotlib/ticker.py
index 21097e282c73..2cdc994552ab 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/ticker.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/ticker.py
@@ -293,7 +293,7 @@ def _set_locator(self, locator):
         pass
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3")
 class IndexFormatter(Formatter):
     """
     Format the position x to the nearest i-th label where ``i = int(x + 0.5)``.
@@ -431,7 +431,7 @@ def __call__(self, x, pos=None):
         return self.fmt.format(x=x, pos=pos)
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3")
 class OldScalarFormatter(Formatter):
     """
     Tick location is a plain old number.
@@ -1753,7 +1753,7 @@ def view_limits(self, vmin, vmax):
         """
         return mtransforms.nonsingular(vmin, vmax)
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def pan(self, numsteps):
         """Pan numticks (can be positive or negative)"""
         ticks = self()
@@ -1771,7 +1771,7 @@ def pan(self, numsteps):
         vmax += step
         self.axis.set_view_interval(vmin, vmax, ignore=True)
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def zoom(self, direction):
         """Zoom in/out on axis; if direction is >0 zoom in, else zoom out."""
 
@@ -1781,7 +1781,7 @@ def zoom(self, direction):
         step = 0.1 * interval * direction
         self.axis.set_view_interval(vmin + step, vmax - step, ignore=True)
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def refresh(self):
         """Refresh internal information based on current limits."""
 
@@ -2947,7 +2947,7 @@ def tick_values(self, vmin, vmax):
                                   '%s type.' % type(self))
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3")
 class OldAutoLocator(Locator):
     """
     On autoscale this class picks the best MultipleLocator to set the
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/transforms.py b/lib/matplotlib/transforms.py
index ba29e6719740..1a73ae3d0443 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/transforms.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/transforms.py
@@ -471,7 +471,7 @@ def transformed(self, transform):
             [pts[0], [pts[0, 0], pts[1, 1]], [pts[1, 0], pts[0, 1]]]))
         return Bbox([ll, [lr[0], ul[1]]])
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="transformed(transform.inverted())")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="transformed(transform.inverted())")
     def inverse_transformed(self, transform):
         """
         Construct a `Bbox` by statically transforming this one by the inverse
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/widgets.py b/lib/matplotlib/widgets.py
index 01f93de8bd57..967ef30f1771 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/widgets.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/widgets.py
@@ -1134,37 +1134,37 @@ def _on_reset(self, event):
     axhspace = cbook.deprecated("3.3")(
         property(lambda self: self.sliderhspace.ax))
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def funcleft(self, val):
         self.targetfig.subplots_adjust(left=val)
         if self.drawon:
             self.targetfig.canvas.draw()
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def funcright(self, val):
         self.targetfig.subplots_adjust(right=val)
         if self.drawon:
             self.targetfig.canvas.draw()
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def funcbottom(self, val):
         self.targetfig.subplots_adjust(bottom=val)
         if self.drawon:
             self.targetfig.canvas.draw()
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def functop(self, val):
         self.targetfig.subplots_adjust(top=val)
         if self.drawon:
             self.targetfig.canvas.draw()
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def funcwspace(self, val):
         self.targetfig.subplots_adjust(wspace=val)
         if self.drawon:
             self.targetfig.canvas.draw()
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def funchspace(self, val):
         self.targetfig.subplots_adjust(hspace=val)
         if self.drawon:
diff --git a/lib/mpl_toolkits/axes_grid1/axes_divider.py b/lib/mpl_toolkits/axes_grid1/axes_divider.py
index 2a388c18815b..0a0117b6cef9 100644
--- a/lib/mpl_toolkits/axes_grid1/axes_divider.py
+++ b/lib/mpl_toolkits/axes_grid1/axes_divider.py
@@ -356,16 +356,16 @@ def get_position(self):
         """Return the bounds of the subplot box."""
         return self.get_subplotspec().get_position(self.figure).bounds
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4")
     @property
     def figbox(self):
         return self.get_subplotspec().get_position(self.figure)
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4")
     def update_params(self):
         pass
 
-    @cbook.deprecated(
+    @_api.deprecated(
         "3.4", alternative="get_subplotspec",
         addendum="(get_subplotspec returns a SubplotSpec instance.)")
     def get_geometry(self):
@@ -373,7 +373,7 @@ def get_geometry(self):
         rows, cols, num1, num2 = self.get_subplotspec().get_geometry()
         return rows, cols, num1 + 1  # for compatibility
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4", alternative="set_subplotspec")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4", alternative="set_subplotspec")
     def change_geometry(self, numrows, numcols, num):
         """Change subplot geometry, e.g., from (1, 1, 1) to (2, 2, 3)."""
         self._subplotspec = GridSpec(numrows, numcols)[num-1]
diff --git a/lib/mpl_toolkits/axes_grid1/axes_rgb.py b/lib/mpl_toolkits/axes_grid1/axes_rgb.py
index 0c06c8c756dd..ee8ce0fb4550 100644
--- a/lib/mpl_toolkits/axes_grid1/axes_rgb.py
+++ b/lib/mpl_toolkits/axes_grid1/axes_rgb.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import numpy as np
 
-from matplotlib import cbook
+from matplotlib import _api, cbook
 from .axes_divider import make_axes_locatable, Size
 from .mpl_axes import Axes
 
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ def make_rgb_axes(ax, pad=0.01, axes_class=None, add_all=True, **kwargs):
     return ax_rgb
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="ax.imshow(np.dstack([r, g, b]))")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="ax.imshow(np.dstack([r, g, b]))")
 def imshow_rgb(ax, r, g, b, **kwargs):
     return ax.imshow(np.dstack([r, g, b]), **kwargs)
 
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ def __init__(self, *args, pad=0, add_all=True, **kwargs):
             ax1.axis[:].line.set_color("w")
             ax1.axis[:].major_ticks.set_markeredgecolor("w")
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def add_RGB_to_figure(self):
         """Add red, green and blue axes to the RGB composite's axes figure."""
         self.RGB.get_figure().add_axes(self.R)
@@ -166,6 +166,6 @@ def imshow_rgb(self, r, g, b, **kwargs):
         return im_rgb, im_r, im_g, im_b
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="RGBAxes")
+@_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="RGBAxes")
 class RGBAxesBase(RGBAxes):
     pass
diff --git a/lib/mpl_toolkits/axes_grid1/parasite_axes.py b/lib/mpl_toolkits/axes_grid1/parasite_axes.py
index 6bb1424738ce..75981bf1bbde 100644
--- a/lib/mpl_toolkits/axes_grid1/parasite_axes.py
+++ b/lib/mpl_toolkits/axes_grid1/parasite_axes.py
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ def set_viewlim_mode(self, mode):
     def get_viewlim_mode(self):
         return self._viewlim_mode
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4", alternative="apply_aspect")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4", alternative="apply_aspect")
     def update_viewlim(self):
         return self._update_viewlim
 
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ def parasite_axes_class_factory(axes_class=None):
 ParasiteAxes = parasite_axes_class_factory(Axes)
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.4", alternative="ParasiteAxesBase")
+@_api.deprecated("3.4", alternative="ParasiteAxesBase")
 class ParasiteAxesAuxTransBase:
     def __init__(self, parent_axes, aux_transform, viewlim_mode=None,
                  **kwargs):
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ def set_viewlim_mode(self, mode):
     def get_viewlim_mode(self):
         return self._viewlim_mode
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.4", alternative="apply_aspect")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.4", alternative="apply_aspect")
     def update_viewlim(self):
         return self._update_viewlim()
 
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ def apply_aspect(self, position=None):
         super().apply_aspect()
 
 
-@cbook.deprecated("3.4", alternative="parasite_axes_class_factory")
+@_api.deprecated("3.4", alternative="parasite_axes_class_factory")
 @functools.lru_cache(None)
 def parasite_axes_auxtrans_class_factory(axes_class=None):
     if axes_class is None:
diff --git a/lib/mpl_toolkits/axisartist/angle_helper.py b/lib/mpl_toolkits/axisartist/angle_helper.py
index dac3f9f6b9f4..d5e313988cfc 100644
--- a/lib/mpl_toolkits/axisartist/angle_helper.py
+++ b/lib/mpl_toolkits/axisartist/angle_helper.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import numpy as np
 import math
 
-from matplotlib import cbook
+from matplotlib import _api, cbook
 from mpl_toolkits.axisartist.grid_finder import ExtremeFinderSimple
 
 
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ def __init__(self, nbins, include_last=True):
         self.nbins = nbins
         self._include_last = include_last
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3", alternative="nbins")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3", alternative="nbins")
     @property
     def den(self):
         return self.nbins
diff --git a/lib/mpl_toolkits/axisartist/axis_artist.py b/lib/mpl_toolkits/axisartist/axis_artist.py
index 127b520d51ee..fa8487e5f7c8 100644
--- a/lib/mpl_toolkits/axisartist/axis_artist.py
+++ b/lib/mpl_toolkits/axisartist/axis_artist.py
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@
 
 import numpy as np
 
-from matplotlib import _api, cbook, rcParams
+from matplotlib import _api, rcParams
 import matplotlib.artist as martist
 import matplotlib.text as mtext
 
@@ -683,7 +683,7 @@ def __init__(self, axes,
         self._axislabel_add_angle = 0.
         self.set_axis_direction(axis_direction)
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     @property
     def dpi_transform(self):
         return Affine2D().scale(1 / 72) + self.axes.figure.dpi_scale_trans
diff --git a/lib/mpl_toolkits/axisartist/grid_finder.py b/lib/mpl_toolkits/axisartist/grid_finder.py
index eb988b14b289..76d7b7016fc2 100644
--- a/lib/mpl_toolkits/axisartist/grid_finder.py
+++ b/lib/mpl_toolkits/axisartist/grid_finder.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import numpy as np
 
-from matplotlib import cbook, ticker as mticker
+from matplotlib import _api, ticker as mticker
 from matplotlib.transforms import Bbox, Transform
 from .clip_path import clip_line_to_rect
 
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ def __call__(self, v1, v2):
         locs = super().__call__()
         return np.array(locs), len(locs), self._factor
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def set_factor(self, f):
         self._factor = f
 
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ def __call__(self, v1, v2):
         locs = np.array([l for l in self._locs if v1 <= l <= v2])
         return locs, len(locs), self._factor
 
-    @cbook.deprecated("3.3")
+    @_api.deprecated("3.3")
     def set_factor(self, f):
         self._factor = f