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
Based on his wealth-to-spending math, Yaros estimated that stock market gains in the last 12 months from the tech sector alone will boost annual consumption by nearly $250 billion, which would account for more than 20% of the cumulative spending increase.
—
Jason Ma, Fortune, 2 Nov. 2025
Home to less than 6% of the world’s population, the region accounts for 22% of global cocaine consumption.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025
What Happens Next Iran faces a pivotal moment in its water crisis, requiring urgent reforms in consumption, irrigation and infrastructure as well as the exploration of alternative supplies through desalination and imports.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
However, industrial heat accounts for about 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions and more than 20 percent of global energy consumption.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for consumption
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Jason Ma, Fortune, 2 Nov. 2025
Home to less than 6% of the world’s population, the region accounts for 22% of global cocaine consumption.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025
What Happens Next Iran faces a pivotal moment in its water crisis, requiring urgent reforms in consumption, irrigation and infrastructure as well as the exploration of alternative supplies through desalination and imports.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
However, industrial heat accounts for about 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions and more than 20 percent of global energy consumption.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for consumption
Cite this Entry
“Consumption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consumption. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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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