consume

[kuhn-soom]

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.

verb (used without object)

consumed, consuming 

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

Other Word Forms

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

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

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

Read more on Salon

"We are an alternative to that. We are an alternative to the consuming on Black Friday."

Read more on BBC

In Bangladesh, an estimated 50 million people have consumed water exceeding the World Health Organization's guideline of 10 micrograms per liter.

Read more on Science Daily

Food giant Campbell's has dismissed as "absurd" claims allegedly made by a senior executive, who has since been placed on leave, that its soups are made with "3D-printed" chicken and consumed by "poor people."

Read more on Barron's

He noted that the US consumes far more aluminium than it produces, leaving it dependent on imports.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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