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

Because of the pain from tooth damage, the may have upped their betel nut consumption, ultimately worsening the addiction. — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 21 Sep. 2026

Weatherizing New York’s aging and drafty housing stock can lower energy consumption, improve comfort, and reduce the amount of electricity needed during extreme weather. — Mark Levine, New York Daily News, 20 Sep. 2026

The announcement comes as concerns over AI safety, data center power consumption and the risks posed by increasingly capable models are becoming harder for Washington and Silicon Valley to ignore. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026

Active lifestyles have become a significant area of growth within premium consumption. — Advertorial, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 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