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 artificial intelligence boom is driving unprecedented demand for data centers, raising concerns about their growing energy consumption, water use and carbon footprint. — Nir Kshetri, The Conversation, 17 Aug. 2026

Partner carrier Hapag-Lloyd tallied the second quarter cash impacts of the Hormuz disruption at roughly $600 million, with average bunker consumption price increasing sequentially from $485 per metric ton in Q1 to $700 per metric ton in Q2. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 17 Aug. 2026

Industrial production and exports tied to the global AI investment boom have helped cushion weak consumption and private investment, but July data suggest that support may be thinning. — Anniek Bao,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026

Token consumption, internal time, process changes, role redesigns and third-party services also contribute to costs. — Jim Deloach, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 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