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

Working out prior to menopause will reduce the risk of osteoporosis in your later years. And avoid harmful habits – smoking and heavy alcohol consumption can weaken bone density and increase the risk of fractures. —Jianying Zhang, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024

The truth is, after losing revenue for nine of the last 15 years, in a market where oversupply and price wars made foreign steel more attractive (now 25 percent of U.S. domestic consumption), the deal was a lifeline for U.S. Steel. —David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

In Kaohsiung, Taiwan, TSMC’s three factories account for 18% of the city’s total electricity consumption, said Cheng Tai-Chun from Citizen of the Earth, Taiwan. —Austin Corona, The Arizona Republic, 4 Nov. 2024

That’s particularly relevant given that most of the world’s production and consumption of fossil fuels takes place outside the United States and Europe. —Dan Ikenson, Forbes, 4 Nov. 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