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

But like many bourbon producers, Stitzel-Weller was affected by the sharp decline in whiskey consumption during the 1970s and '80s. —Emily Price, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025

The bigger means of consumption was through streaming, which was up 125%, to 34.75 million on-demand streams. —Chris Willman, Variety, 8 June 2025

While the participation in the Qurbani and the consumption of the Qurbani is not required, it is encouraged. —Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 7 June 2025

Another Edmondson Avenue mainstay of bread consumption was the old Harley’s sandwich shop that had an outpost near both the Ward (Continental) and Hauswald Bakery. —Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 7 June 2025

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