consumption

[kuhn-suhmp-shuhn]

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.

consumption

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of consumption¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of consumption¹

C14: from Latin consumptiō a wasting, from consūmere to _consume

Example Sentences

Economic growth likely slowed to 4.3% in the third quarter from 4.4% in the previous quarter, as leading indicators point to weaker private consumption and softer imports of consumer goods, ANZ economists said.

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SocGen sees that as a positive for consumption, as this group accounts for roughly half of all retail spending.

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It pledges a more than sixfold expansion of wind and solar compared with 2020 levels by 2035, aiming for clean energy to account for 30% of China’s total energy consumption by then.

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Carriers, brokers and shippers are all saying they are seeing slow business as a result of uncertainty about downstream consumption amid trade friction, high interest rates, a government shutdown and a broader recession risk.

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She suggests starting by taking stock of existing consumption behaviors.

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Related Words

• drinking 
• expenditure 
• utilization