consume

[ kuhn-soom ]

verb (used with object)

, con·sumed, con·sum·ing.

1. to destroy or expend by use; use up.

   Synonyms: deplete, exhaust

2. to eat or drink up; devour.
3. to destroy, as by decomposition or burning:

   Fire consumed the forest.

4. to spend (money, time, etc.) wastefully.

   Synonyms: dissipate, squander

5. to absorb; engross:

   consumed with curiosity.

verb (used without object)

, con·sumed, con·sum·ing.

1. to undergo destruction; waste away.
2. to use or use up consumer goods.

consume

/ kənˈsjuːm /

verb

1. tr to eat or drink
2. tr; often passive to engross or obsess
3. tr to use up; expend

   my car consumes little oil

4. to destroy or be destroyed by burning, decomposition, etc

   fire consumed the forest

5. tr to waste or squander

   the time consumed on that project was excessive

6. passive to waste away

Derived Forms

• conˈsumingly, adverb
• conˈsuming, adjective

Other Words From

• half-con·sumed adjective
• over·con·sume verb overconsumed overconsuming
• precon·sume verb (used with object) preconsumed preconsuming
• uncon·sumed adjective
• under·con·sume verb (used with object) underconsumed underconsuming

Word History and Origins

Origin of consume¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French consumer, from Latin consūmere, from con- con- + sūmere “to take up” (equivalent to subs-, variant of sub- sub- + emere “to take, buy”; emptor ( def ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of consume¹

C14: from Latin consūmere to devour, from com- (intensive) + sūmere to take up, from emere to take, purchase

Example Sentences

Americans would never change their habits of consumption, he asserted, but new immigrants would only consume more, rising to this country’s standard of living and expanding the net environmental burden on the world.

From Salon

As for managing my feelings, I’m careful and selective as to what news or information I consume.

From Salon

There is another trend that has made its mark in cities since the first Trump election in 2016: the dramatic change in the way people consume information.

From Slate

In building a social media site that does not go out of its way to be unusable for people distributing news or trying to consume it, Bluesky has been an innovator.

From Slate

“We consume in New York City about a billion gallons of water every single day,” Iscol said.

From Slate

Related Words

• absorb
• deplete
• devour
• dominate
• drain
• eat up
• employ
• exhaust
• expend
• obsess
• preoccupy
• spend
• waste