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

While gas price spikes generally don’t do much damage to consumption, prolonged higher energy prices do.

From Barron's

Theories for the decline include federal funding, increased police enforcement, reduced alcohol consumption and a return to normal routines postpandemic.

From The Wall Street Journal

Because the approach avoids heavy metals, harsh reaction conditions and lengthy synthesis pathways, it could also reduce toxic waste and energy consumption in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

From Science Daily

The core measure of the personal consumption expenditures price index, which strips out food and energy and is closely watched by the Fed, rose 3.1% in January, ahead of December’s 3.0% pace.

From Barron's

Inflation shows no sign of cooling, as measured by the January personal consumption expenditures price index, released the same day.

From Barron's

Related Words

• drinking
• expenditure
• utilization