# consumption

/kənˈsəmpʃən/ (US) · /kənsˈʌmpʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/consumption
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. eating or drinking

noun · CEFR B2

the act of eating or drinking something.

For teachers: the ingestion of food or liquid. Uncountable in this general sense.

- The doctor advised him to reduce his daily consumption of sugar.
- Public health experts are concerned that the excessive consumption of processed fats is contributing to a rise in heart disease among younger populations.

### 2. using resources

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

the amount of something that is used, such as fuel, energy, or time.

For teachers: the process of using up a resource or the specific amount of a resource used. Often used in economic or technical contexts.

- The new car has much lower fuel consumption than the old model.
- Industrial energy consumption peaked during the winter months, forcing the government to implement temporary subsidies for smaller manufacturing firms.

### 3. buying goods

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

the act of buying and using products and services.

For teachers: the purchase and use of goods and services by the public, often viewed as an economic indicator.

- The report shows that domestic consumption has increased this year.
- Economists argue that a shift toward sustainable consumption is necessary to mitigate the environmental impact of global trade.

### 4. tuberculosis

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

an old word for a serious lung disease called tuberculosis.

For teachers: a historical term for pulmonary tuberculosis, characterized by a wasting away of the body.

- In the nineteenth century, many famous poets died of consumption.
- The novel depicts the tragic decline of the protagonist as she succumbs to consumption, a common literary trope in Victorian fiction.

## Examples

- The car has a very high fuel consumption.
- Doctors recommend reducing your daily salt consumption to improve your long-term heart health.
- The shift toward sustainable energy requires not only a change in production methods but also a significant reduction in the overall consumption of non-renewable resources by heavy industry.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.