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.

Chinese companies see OpenClaw as an opportunity to generate more revenue from their models, as agentic tasks are more complicated and consume significantly more tokens than standard chatbot interactions, the analyst notes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Borgli fearlessly asks how quickly the images we consume by scrolling or watching the news affect our thinking.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

"Sure, AI data centres consume massive amounts of energy, contribute to air pollution, and drain the water supply from local communities," Forcino said.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Although many foods naturally contain sodium, most people consume the majority of it through processed foods, packaged items, and restaurant meals.

From Science Daily • Mar. 31, 2026

Only the rainwater and the food provided at the Cornucopia are safe to consume.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

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