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

Senate leaders, along with Gov. Mike DeWine, worry the illicit market will flourish with legal consumption and no way to legally buy marijuana. —Haley Bemiller, The Courier-Journal, 12 June 2024

After the games, parties, and heavy food consumption, visitors had plenty of places to choose from to lay their heads. —Okla Jones, Essence, 9 June 2024

Obviously, my kids aren’t the only junior Starbucks devotees, with a new survey finding caffeine consumption in 13- to 18-year-olds is common in the United States. —Melissa Willets, Parents, 7 June 2024

Previously, the earliest evidence for yak milk consumption came from individuals from the Mongol Empire in about 1270 CE. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 5 June 2024

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

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