consume

verb

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con·sume | \ kən-ˈsüm

consumed; consuming

Definition of consume

transitive verb

1 : to do away with completely : destroy Fire consumed several buildings.

2a : to spend wastefully : squander consumed his inheritance on luxuries

b : use up Writing consumed much of his time.

3a : to eat or drink especially in great quantity consumed several bags of pretzels

b : to enjoy avidly : devour … mysteries, which she consumes for fun …— Eden Ross Lipson

4 : to engage fully : engross consumed with curiosity

5 : to utilize as a customer consume goods and services

intransitive verb

1 : to waste or burn away : perish

2 : to utilize economic goods

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about consume

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Synonyms for consume

Synonyms

devour,
eat (up)

Examples of consume in a Sentence

The new lights consume less electricity. She's making an effort to live more simply and consume less. Hundreds of books were consumed in the fire.

Recent Examples on the Web People with pica will repeatedly consume non-nutritive, non-food substances, such as rocks or dirt. — Colleen Murphy, Health.com, "The Different Types of Eating Disorders—What They Are and What You Need to Know About Them," 24 Feb. 2021 Otherwise the plant could quickly consume the world’s entire supply of tritium, which comes only from certain nuclear reactors. — Adrian Cho, Science | AAAS, "Road map to U.S. fusion power plant comes into clearer focus—sort of," 19 Feb. 2021 In addition to the computers themselves drawing power, the air conditioners and other cooling mechanics for the computers consume a substantial amount. — Patrick Kennedy, Star Tribune, "Compute North, digital currency service provider in Eden Prairie, raises $25 million," 15 Feb. 2021 But the repercussions of the charges first lodged by the Manhattan district attorney, Robert M. Morgenthau, coupled with federal complaints and civil suits, would consume both men for years. — Sam Roberts, New York Times, "Robert Altman, Video Game Mogul Who Survived Scandal, Dies at 73," 13 Feb. 2021 While many smuggling runs are sprints through near-shore waters, panga transits from a launch in Baja to the California coast can consume hours or even days. — New York Times, "Risking Everything to Come to America on the Open Ocean," 28 Jan. 2021 Defense will consume the conversations and waking thoughts of club officials in the coming days and weeks. — David Moore, Dallas News, "5 issues facing the Cowboys’ defense this offseason, including key free agent decisions," 19 Jan. 2021 The online megaphone the San Francisco company handed him seemed to define, and sometimes consume, his presidency. — Owen Thomas, SFChronicle.com, "Why I wrote an obituary for @realDonaldTrump," 13 Jan. 2021 Soil microbes will consume many – but not all – pathogens. — oregonlive, "What’s eating these garlic plants? Ask an expert," 9 Jan. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'consume.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.