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

The electricity used when leaving devices plugged in (otherwise known as a phantom load) can make up as much as 10% of your at-home power consumption and raise your utility bill by $100 throughout the year. — Karla Radka, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 June 2026

In a two-track world, every case study could have a companion version specifically designed for machine consumption. — Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 20 June 2026

Shares of South Korea's major department-store operators have also rallied alongside growing expectations that high-end consumption will strengthen. — Lim Hui Jie,blair Baek, CNBC, 20 June 2026

If consumption were the driver of economic growth then the global economy would always be booming. — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 20 June 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