devour

verb

de·​vour di-ˈvau̇(-ə)r 

dē-

devoured; devouring; devours

transitive verb

1

: to eat up greedily or ravenously

devoured the turkey and mashed potatoes

2

: to use up or destroy as if by eating

We are devouring the world's resources.

3

: to prey upon

devoured by guilt

4

: to enjoy avidly

devours books

devourer noun

Synonyms

• consume
• eat (up)

Examples of devour in a Sentence

He devoured everything on his plate.

The lions devoured their prey.

She devoured every golf magazine she could find.

He watched intently, devouring the scene before him with his eyes.

Recent Examples on the Web

One day after Joey Chestnut was banned from competing in this year’s Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4, the former San Jose resident has found another venue to show off his unique skill of devouring wieners. —Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 12 June 2024

In the rainforests of Central and South America, the frogs devour a particular diet to build up their poisonous defense. —Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 June 2024

Buy Now 04 of 15 'The Demon of Unrest' by Erik Larson Abraham Lincoln devotees and Larson fans alike will devour this propulsive account of the five months between Lincoln’s election and the start of the Civil War. —Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 10 June 2024

Before June 2022, these boxes were devoured by hungry occupants even before construction was completed. —Allen Buchanan, Orange County Register, 8 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French devour-, stem of devorer, from Latin devorare, from de- + vorare to devour — more at voracious

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

devour

verb

de·​vour di-ˈvau̇(ə)r 

1

: to eat up greedily or hungrily

devoured everything on his plate

2

: to use up or destroy as if by eating

fire devoured the barn

3

: to enjoy eagerly

devour a book