consumption

[ kuhn-suhmp-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of consuming, as by use, decay, or destruction.

   Synonyms: utilization, depletion, exploitation

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 Words From

• noncon·sumption noun
• over·con·sumption noun
• precon·sumption noun
• self-con·sumption noun
• under·con·sumption 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

Other research labs have used simulations to show that reducing population-level food consumption can lower energy costs, preserve land and water resources, and reduce greenhouse gas creation by keeping discarded food out of landfills.

From Science Daily

But despite foreign governments posting warnings about alcohol consumption in these places, there is still little awareness among the backpacker party scene.

From BBC

Approximately 3.3  billion people rely on aquatic foods for nutrition, which accounts for almost 20% of the average per capita consumption of animal protein.

From Salon

According to Barclays Research, data centres account for 3.5% of electricity consumption in the US today, but that figure could rise to more than 9% by the end of the decade.

From BBC

The benefits would be even larger if we reduced sugar consumption even further.

From Salon

Related Words

• drinking
• expenditure
• utilization