consumption

noun

con·​sump·​tion kən-ˈsəm(p)-shən 

1

a

: the act or process of consuming

consumption of food

consumption of resources

b

: use by or exposure to a particular group or audience

The document was not intended for public consumption.

2

: use of something

the jet's high consumption of fuel

the consumption of electricity

3

a

: tuberculosis

b

: a progressive wasting away of the body especially from pulmonary tuberculosis

Examples of consumption in a Sentence

The jet's high fuel consumption makes it expensive to operate.

Recent Examples on the Web

Food that’s still good, but not for human consumption, is sent to local animal rescues and farms. — Zuri Primos july 28, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026

While the soccer tournament boosted alcohol consumption, previous instances show that the rise is normally only temporary rather than the start of a new trend, Whyatt said. — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 27 July 2026

But with alcohol consumption hitting record lows, the home bar is less and less of a design default. — Elyse Moody, Architectural Digest, 27 July 2026

Televisions did not reshape media consumption as studio-exclusive hardware. — Gerui Wang, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English consumpcioun, from Latin consumption-, consumptio, from consumere — see consume

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing consumption

• conspicuous consumption

Rhymes for consumption

• assumption
• presumption
• resumption
• subsumption
• gumption
• sumption

Kids Definition

consumption

noun

con·​sump·​tion kən-ˈsəm(p)-shən 

1

a

: the act or process of consuming

b

: the amount consumed

2

a

: a gradual and continuous wasting away of the body especially from tuberculosis of the lungs

b

: tuberculosis

Medical Definition

consumption

noun

con·​sump·​tion kən-ˈsəm(p)-shən 

1

: a progressive wasting away of the body especially from pulmonary tuberculosis

2

: tuberculosis