consumption
noun
con·sump·tion kən-ˈsəm(p)-shən 
1
a
: the act or process of consuming
consumption of food
consumption of resources
b
: use by or exposure to a particular group or audience
The document was not intended for public consumption.
2
: use of something
the jet's high consumption of fuel
the consumption of electricity
3
a
b
: a progressive wasting away of the body especially from pulmonary tuberculosis
Examples of consumption in a Sentence
The jet's high fuel consumption makes it expensive to operate.
Recent Examples on the Web Madagascar on Tuesday declared a state of emergency to reduce fuel consumption, while South Africa cut the fuel levy and Ethiopia introduced rationing. —
Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026 Gas consumption fell 20% across the continent since then, and now forms only 19% of European energy supplies. —Jim Edwards, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026 Cabbage is popular for this reason among those trying to eat healthier and/or slim down, so much so that there are weeklong crash diets based on its consumption. —Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026 On Thursday, investors will parse through the personal consumption expenditure figures for February - the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge. —Reuters, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for consumption
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026 Gas consumption fell 20% across the continent since then, and now forms only 19% of European energy supplies. —Jim Edwards, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026 Cabbage is popular for this reason among those trying to eat healthier and/or slim down, so much so that there are weeklong crash diets based on its consumption. —Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026 On Thursday, investors will parse through the personal consumption expenditure figures for February - the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge. —Reuters, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for consumption Cite this Entry
“Consumption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consumption. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
consumption
noun con·sump·tion kən-ˈsəm(p)-shən
1
a
: the act or process of consuming
b
: the amount consumed
2
a
: a gradual and continuous wasting away of the body especially from tuberculosis of the lungs
b
Medical Definition
consumption
noun con·sump·tion kən-ˈsəm(p)-shən
1
: a progressive wasting away of the body especially from pulmonary tuberculosis
2
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