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

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

His answer helped the Tanton organizations reframe immigration squarely in global warming terms: Newcomers to the United States were making climate change worse, because as they increased their consumption here, their carbon emissions would increase, too.

From Salon

If law enforcement’s goal is to discourage consumption by forcing dealers to raise their prices, they’re falling far behind.

From Salon

"What we're thinking is we can convert this waste into protein, and then that protein can reduce animal consumption," said Hill-Maini.

From Salon

The government advisers said taxes on meat and dairy might be needed if people do not voluntarily reduce their consumption of the products, and there should be moves to phase out the use of petrol cars.

From BBC

Related Words

• drinking
• expenditure
• utilization