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

Multiple studies worldwide, including a meta-analysis published in 2019 and another in 2020, have linked dairy consumption to a lower risk of colorectal cancer in both males and females. —Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 18 Jan. 2025

With TikTok going dark Sunday, 170 million American users have a brand new opportunity to kick the habit and go pick up a new hobby, get outside, go for a walk, learn how to bake, watch a classic movie, or really do all kinds of new things that hours of TikTok consumption have prevented. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025

But analysts warn that more efforts are needed to boost domestic consumption as the outlook for Chinese exports becomes more uncertain. —Beatrice Nolan, Fortune Asia, 17 Jan. 2025

Statistics bureau head Kang reiterated Friday Beijing’s priority this year was to boost consumption, while acknowledging that consumers’ ability to spend was still weak. —Anniek Bao,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 17 Jan. 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

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