consume

American  

[kuhn-soom] / kənˈsum /

verb (used with object)

consumed, consuming

1. to destroy or expend by use; use up.

   Synonyms:

   deplete, exhaust

2. to eat or drink up; devour.

3. to destroy, as by decomposition or burning.

   Fire consumed the forest.

4. to spend (money, time, etc.) wastefully.

   Synonyms:

   dissipate, squander

5. to absorb; engross.

   consumed with curiosity.

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verb (used without object)

consumed, consuming

1. to undergo destruction; waste away.

2. to use or use up consumer goods.

consume British  

/ kənˈsjuːm /

verb

1. (tr) to eat or drink

2. (tr; often passive) to engross or obsess

3. (tr) to use up; expend

   my car consumes little oil

4. to destroy or be destroyed by burning, decomposition, etc

   fire consumed the forest

5. (tr) to waste or squander

   the time consumed on that project was excessive

6. (passive) to waste away

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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”; cf. emptor ( def. ))

Explanation

"The Freshman 15" describes freshman-year college students who gain about fifteen pounds because they consume way too much lousy dorm food all day long. To consume a cake is to eat it, the idea being that you ate the whole thing. To say a fire consumed a building is to say that the entire building was destroyed. Consume means to devour, to take in, to use up. The Unites States is often referred to as a consumer society because our economy is based on things being consumed. Whether it's gas, clothes, burgers, music, or anything that we use up as we purchase it, it's something that we consume. If we consume all the oil, there will be none left to burn.

Example Sentences

But more often they consume time and attention, turning serious world events into mere entertainment.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

“Super prime consumers generally remain well positioned to manage affordability challenges, while those in non-prime risk tiers face growing stress as required payments consume an increasing share of their income,” Raneri said in a statement.

From MarketWatch • May 4, 2026

Vegetarians and vegans, who typically consume little or no creatine through diet, often start with lower levels and may respond more strongly to supplementation.

From Science Daily • May 4, 2026

While these cases consume a lot of resources and are not nearly as encompassing as preclearance was, they have been effective.

From Slate • May 1, 2026

Of all the creatures I knew, in those days, only my mother really looked at me.—Stared at me as if to consume me, like a troll.

From "Grendel" by John Gardner

Related Words

• absorb
• deplete
• devour
• dominate
• drain
• eat up
• employ
• exhaust
• expend
• obsess
• preoccupy
• spend
• waste