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

TikTok has provided the template for the algorithmic, passive future of social-media consumption, and other tech companies have leaped to copy it. —Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 8 May 2024

Gold consumption in the country rose 6 percent in the first quarter from a year earlier, according to the China Gold Association. —Claire Fu, New York Times, 5 May 2024

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

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