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

But, that represented just 0.6% of all jet fuel consumption, making it unlikely to meaningfully reduce offsetting obligations for Phase I.

From The Wall Street Journal

But he acknowledged that the Fed’s preferred metric, core personal consumption expenditures inflation, is running near 3% and that policymakers shouldn’t switch opportunistically between price measures to justify a preferred outcome.

From Barron's

Limiting sugar consumption during early childhood may reduce the risk of serious heart problems later in life.

From Science Daily

This removes friction in consumption, stripping out inertia in subscriptions, constantly finding the cheapest and best option, reducing companies margins and thus profits.

From MarketWatch

The subsidies are typically financed by transfers from households, Pettis said, which ultimately reduces domestic demand and consumption further.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• drinking
• expenditure
• utilization