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

On Friday, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, the personal consumption and expenditures price index, is due. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 23 June 2025

And note that those who are now actually making their student loan payments must forego other uses of those funds, a large portion of which was consumption. —Robert Barone, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025

In 2019, Texas legalized the sale and consumption of hemp, a weaker form of cannabis with a maximum of 0.3 percent THC. —Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025

Approximately 20 million barrels, or 20 percent of global consumption, flowed through the strait in 2024. —Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 23 June 2025

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