consumption
Americannoun
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the act of consuming, as by use, decay, or destruction.
- Synonyms:
- utilization, exploitation, depletion
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the amount consumed.
the high consumption of gasoline.
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Economics. the using up of goods and services having an exchangeable value.
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Pathology.
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Older Use. tuberculosis of the lungs.
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progressive wasting of the body.
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noun
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the act of consuming or the state of being consumed, esp by eating, burning, etc
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economics expenditure on goods and services for final personal use
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the quantity consumed
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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
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis releases the personal consumption expenditures price index for February.
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
By combining compact laser arrays, high-speed transmission, and precise optical control, this approach offers a practical path toward next-generation indoor wireless networks that deliver greater performance without increasing energy consumption.
From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2026
The FDA determines the public health risk of the level of lead in a food product by considering the level of lead toxicity measured in the food and estimated consumption.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026
Yet consumption has remained solid through early 2026.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026
If all the people that has consumption in Limerick were to die this would be a ghost town, though I don’t have consumption meself.
From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
