consume

American

[kuhn-soom] / kənˈsum /

verb (used with object)

consumed, consuming

to destroy or expend by use; use up.

Synonyms:

deplete , exhaust
to eat or drink up; devour.
to destroy, as by decomposition or burning.

Fire consumed the forest.
to spend (money, time, etc.) wastefully.

Synonyms:

dissipate , squander
to absorb; engross.

consumed with curiosity.

verb (used without object)

consumed, consuming

to undergo destruction; waste away.
to use or use up consumer goods.

consume British

/ kənˈsjuːm /

verb

(tr) to eat or drink
(tr; often passive) to engross or obsess
(tr) to use up; expend

my car consumes little oil
to destroy or be destroyed by burning, decomposition, etc

fire consumed the forest
(tr) to waste or squander

the time consumed on that project was excessive
(passive) to waste away

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

consuming adjective
consumingly adverb
half-consumed adjective
overconsume verb
preconsume verb (used with object)
unconsumed adjective
underconsume verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of consume

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French consumer, from Latin consūmere, from con- con- + sūmere “to take up” (equivalent to subs-, variant of sub- sub- + emere “to take, buy”; emptor ( def. ) )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Chimpanzees consume a similar amount of alcohol to what we might if we ate fermented food daily," Maro said.

From Science Daily

"AI material should be clearly labelled as such so that the public may choose whether they consume AI material or not," the statement continued.

From BBC

Now consumed with the idea that what is given to her can be taken away at a moment’s notice, Agnes vows to do whatever it takes to keep Judith healthy.

From Salon

Research is now shedding light on how this highly consumed ingredient contributes to obesity in mice.

From Science Daily

Every time she opens her mouth I swear a swarm of horseflies and pestilence are released to consume the countryside.

From Salon

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023