consumption

American  

[kuhn-suhmp-shuhn] / kənˈsʌmp ʃən /

noun

1. the act of consuming, as by use, decay, or destruction.

   Synonyms:

   utilization, exploitation, depletion

2. the amount consumed.

   the high consumption of gasoline.

3. Economics. the using up of goods and services having an exchangeable value.

4. Pathology.

   1. Older Use. tuberculosis of the lungs.

   2. progressive wasting of the body.

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consumption British  

/ kənˈsʌmpʃən /

noun

1. the act of consuming or the state of being consumed, esp by eating, burning, etc

2. economics expenditure on goods and services for final personal use

3. the quantity consumed

4. pathol a condition characterized by a wasting away of the tissues of the body, esp as seen in tuberculosis of the lungs

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Other Word Forms

• nonconsumption noun
• overconsumption noun
• preconsumption noun
• self-consumption noun
• underconsumption noun

Etymology

Origin of consumption

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English consumpcyon, from Middle French, from Latin consūmptiōn-, stem of consūmptiō “employment, use, waste,” from consūmpt(us) “used up” (past participle of consūmere “to use up, waste”; consume ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

The 30-50 million barrels represent a small fraction of global consumption and U.S. annual imports, with limited impact on U.S. oil markets.

From Barron's

Some studies have found that red meat consumption raises the risk of diabetes.

From The Wall Street Journal

The committee for the 2020 guidelines recommended sharply lowering limits for added sugars and alcohol consumption.

From The Wall Street Journal

Spending was strong in the third quarter, but there were signs that the pace of consumption might have slowed in the fourth quarter.

From MarketWatch

Since its introduction, monthly podcast consumption on the platform has nearly doubled.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• drinking
• expenditure
• utilization