consume

verb

con·​sume kən-ˈsüm How to pronounce consume (audio)
consumed; consuming
Synonyms of consume

transitive verb

1
: to do away with completely : destroy
Fire consumed several buildings.
2
a
: to spend wastefully : squander
consumed his inheritance on luxuries
b
: use up
Writing consumed much of his time.
3
a
: to eat or drink especially in great quantity
consumed several bags of pretzels
b
: to enjoy avidly : devour
… mysteries, which she consumes for fun …—Eden Ross Lipson
4
: to engage fully : engross
consumed with curiosity
5
: to utilize as a customer
consume goods and services

intransitive verb

1
: to waste or burn away : perish
2
: to utilize economic goods

Synonyms of consume

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Examples of consume in a Sentence

The new lights consume less electricity. She's making an effort to live more simply and consume less. Hundreds of books were consumed in the fire.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Manufacturing meth on-island is pretty much impossible — there aren’t many places to hide a meth lab — so most meth that reaches Hawaii comes from the mainland, as is the case with most products consumed on the islands. — Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026 Enrico Rivetto, whose eponymous winery produces three Barolos and one Barbaresco, says locally Barbaresco was consumed more often than Barolo because of its greater drinkability. — Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 2 Aug. 2026 The Spokane Complex Fire includes the Old Trails Fire, which has burned 3,509 acres; the Fairview Fire, which stands at 981 acres burned; and the Autumn Lane Fire, which has consumed 900 acres, according to federal incident management. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 2 Aug. 2026 Chartreuse dress dazzled tv screens In the 1960’s, the advent of television had a massive effect on how people consumed sports. — Emile Nuh, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for consume

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French consumer, from Latin consumere, from com- + sumere to take up, take, from sub- up + emere to take — more at sub-, redeem

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of consume was in the 14th century

Rhymes for consume

See All Rhymes for consume

Browse Nearby Words

consumable
consume
consumedly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Consume.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consume. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

consume

verb
con·​sume kən-ˈsüm How to pronounce consume (audio)
consumed; consuming
1
: to destroy by or as if by fire
2
: use up, spend
the search consumed most of our time
3
: to eat or drink up
consumed too much ice cream
4
: to take up the interest or attention of
was consumed with curiosity
5
: to use as a customer
consume goods
consumable
-ˈsü-mə-bəl
adjective

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