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

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

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

The man’s mind, we know from the poem, is consumed with grief for his lost love, Lenore, and terror that her ghost has come seeking entrance.

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This process allows cells to consume more fuel and generate heat, improving overall metabolic health.

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The jury heard that he said he had stabbed himself in the neck, consumed brake fluid and driven his Porsche car into the water.

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Shelby Houlihan had argued at the time that something in the meat she consumed had led her to test positive for a steroid called nandrolone.

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Those who know Dombrowski best marvel at his ability to consume information from reports written about every player from the lowest rung of the minors to the big leagues and recall it without flinching.

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Related Words

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