consume

[ kuhn-soom ]

verb (used with object)

, con·sumed, con·sum·ing.

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.

verb (used without object)

, con·sumed, con·sum·ing.

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

consume

/ 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

Derived Forms

• conˈsumingly, adverb
• conˈsuming, adjective

Other Words From

• half-con·sumed adjective
• over·con·sume verb overconsumed overconsuming
• precon·sume verb (used with object) preconsumed preconsuming
• uncon·sumed adjective
• under·con·sume verb (used with object) underconsumed underconsuming

Word History and Origins

Origin of consume¹

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 ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of consume¹

C14: from Latin consūmere to devour, from com- (intensive) + sūmere to take up, from emere to take, purchase

Example Sentences

“This strategy is really about making it easier for them to consume everything that they’re paying for, giving them less friction in terms of navigating between the different apps and better ability for us to personalize the content from all those different services,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

“The end goal of AB 660 is to create consistency in date labeling practices, thereby reducing consumer confusion and consequently, food waste. It’s about creating a uniform system that allows consumers to make empowered, educated choices about the foods they purchase and consume,” Parker said in an email.

From Los Angeles Times

This is especially true for items that do not deteriorate on store shelves, such as bottled water and canned goods, which can be safe to consume for years past their labels if unopened and stored properly, said Teresa Murray, the consumer watchdog director of the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

A product that could be unsafe to consume after the labeled date should be packaged with a “Use by” date.

From Los Angeles Times

Nevertheless, different approaches are required to achieve this goal: "People in Europe and North America consume four times more milk and meat on average than people in Africa. Therefore, it is certainly sensible in high-income countries to limit the consumption of animal-sourced food," says Qaim.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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