consume

verb

con·​sume kən-ˈsüm How to pronounce consume (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These decisions were made after careful consideration of how best to position us against the twin challenges of needing to adapt to how people consume media today as well as the loss of federal dollars. Michael Schneider, Variety, 18 Oct. 2025 Consumers may return the product to their local Publix store for a full refund, regardless of whether the product has been opened or consumed. Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025 The term broadly refers to working out while consuming only slightly more calories than the body needs to maintain itself, and getting those calories from healthy sources. Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2025 Grapefruit may aid digestion and improve bowel movements when consumed before meals or in the morning. Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for consume

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of consume was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Consume.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consume. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

consume

verb
con·​sume kən-ˈsüm How to pronounce consume (audio)
consumed; consuming
1
: to destroy by or as if by fire
2
: use up, spend
the search consumed most of our time
3
: to eat or drink up
consumed too much ice cream
4
: to take up the interest or attention of
was consumed with curiosity
5
: to use as a customer
consume goods
consumable
-ˈsü-mə-bəl
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on consume

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