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

In the absence of a fresh census, it has relied on sample surveys - from consumption expenditure to labour force data - with the statistics ministry working to keep them broadly representative.

From BBC

Eliza Winger, a US economist with Bloomberg, said that an increase in fuel prices does not just hit people at the pump, it also reduces their overall consumption -- with possible knock-on effects for the economy.

From Barron's

“You can fit a much better model on a phone. That’s a big deal. Of course on your phone or a mobile device, energy consumption is a very, very big deal,” Khosla said.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Woods – I’ve been to a handful of consumption lounges—from San Diego to Las Vegas to Richmond, Illinois—and this one is easily my favorite.

From Salon

Canadian production of marketable natural gas climbed 6.3% on-year, notching a third consecutive record high as domestic consumption and exports grew.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• drinking
• expenditure
• utilization