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

Linkin Park manages to push three distinct projects north on the same chart at the same time, as consumption of the Grammy-winning act’s catalog continues to grow. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025

And notably, the generation’s alcohol consumption is now in line with previous generations who experienced a similar uptick in drinking in their 20s. —Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 5 July 2025

As Indian cinema continues to gain global recognition and streaming platforms reshape content consumption, Magdum’s leadership of NFDC represents a crucial bridge between preserving the country’s cinematic past and nurturing its digital future. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 July 2025

Inflation on food purchased for home consumption (typically at supermarkets) has been worse: up 27%. —Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 2 July 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