consume

verb con·sume \ kən-ˈsüm \

|Updated on: 18 Jul 2018

Examples: consume in a Sentence

Definition of consume

consumed; consuming

transitive verb

1 : to do away with completely : destroy

Fire consumed several buildings.

2 a : to spend wastefully : squander

consumed his inheritance on luxuries

b : use up

Writing consumed much of his time.

3 a : 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

See consume defined for English-language learners

See consume defined for kids

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 of consume from the Web

Eco-Cycle, a zero-waste organization in Boulder, Colo., estimates that Americans consume 500 million single-use straws every day.

— caille millner, SFChronicle.com, "A splash of cold water on straw-ban fervor: Many people with disabilities need them," 13 July 2018
With Syria consumed by war, nearby nay-makers were unavailable to share their expertise, while artisans in other Arab countries and Turkey were less than willing to share a craft passed down through the generations.

— taylor luck, The Christian Science Monitor, "In rediscovered reed flute, a soulful link to Jordanian identity," 13 July 2018
Hemp can be used through various ways: smoking; consuming in edibles, such as brownies, cookies or candy bars; and extracted oils.

— karen pilarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Six things you might be asking about hemp," 13 July 2018
During the day, there is a $5 wristband charge for anyone consuming alcohol.

— annie alleman, chicagotribune.com, "Plainfield Fest returns with expanded lineup," 12 July 2018
But generating the pressure needed to meld hydrogen and nitrogen in the reactors consumes more fossil fuels, which means more CO2.

— robert f. service, Science | AAAS, "Ammonia—a renewable fuel made from sun, air, and water—could power the globe without carbon," 12 July 2018
Much of biblical literature is consumed with resisting them, both as exterior forces that opposed the ways of God and interior pulls that tempt good people with assimilation.

— rachel held evans, Washington Post, "The Bible is literature for the resistance," 12 July 2018
When consuming carbohydrates, have them early in the day.

— kimberly garrison, Philly.com, "How to get into Janet Jackson shape," 11 July 2018
The monthslong Supreme Court clash that lies ahead will draw hundreds of thousands of activists to the fray, produce tens of millions of dollars in advertising and consume untold hours of television coverage.

— jonathan martin, New York Times, "For Midterms, Supreme Court Political Drama Plays to Its Audience," 11 July 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of consume

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French consumer, from Latin consumere, from com- + sumere to take up, take, from sub- up + emere to take — more at sub-, redeem

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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