consume

present singular third person consumes · participle present consuming · participle past consumed · past consumed

1. transitiveTo use up.

   The power plant consumes 30 tons of coal per hour.

   Synonyms: burn, use, use up, expend

2. transitiveTo eat.

   Baby birds consume their own weight in food each day.

   2 more examples

   Concerns were raised around the ability of Milky Way species to consume proteins from Andromeda, so seed banks formed a significant part of the arks' cargo. We now know it is safe to consume food grown or hunted here, though enzyme supplements are recommended and have become a social norm at mealtimes.

   2017, BioWare, Mass Effect: Andromeda (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Andromeda Wildlife: Overview Codex entry

   Halt! This planet is mine to consume. So sayeth Galactus, Destroyer of Worlds.

   2023 December 18, “Galactus VS Unicron (Marvel Comics VS Transformers)” (14:12 from the start), in DEATH BATTLE!, season 10, episode 16, spoken by Galactus (Wolf Williams)

   Synonyms: devour, eat, swallow

3. transitiveTo completely occupy the thoughts or attention of.

   Desire consumed him.

   Synonyms: occupy, overcome, take over

4. transitiveTo destroy completely.

   The building was consumed by fire.

   2 more examples

   If he were putting to my house the brand / That shall consume it.

   c. 1608–1609 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Coriolanus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene vi]

   Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through to steal: […]

   1900, The New Covenant Commonly Called the New Testament of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (American Standard Version), New York: Thomas Nelson & Sons, Matthew 6:19–20

   Synonyms: annihilate, destroy, devastate, eliminate, obliterate, raze, wipe out

5. intransitiveobsoleteTo waste away slowly.

   Therefore, let Benedick, like cover'd fire, / Consume away in sighs.

   1598–1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “Much Adoe about Nothing”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]

   2 more examples

   But, sir, you see how weak I am. You must see that I have been consuming from day to day […].

   1748, [Samuel Richardson], “Letter CDXLI”, in Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: […], volume (please specify |volume=I to VII), London: […] S[amuel] Richardson; [a]nd sold by John Osborn, […], →OCLC

   He assured her the child was consuming at that moment in the next room.

   1899, Kate Chopin, The Awakening

6. intransitivetransitiveeconomicsTo obtain and use goods or services as an individual.

   In a materialistic society, individuals are taught to consume, consume, consume.

   1 more example

   If you consume this product while in Japan, you may be subject to consumption tax.

7. transitiveTo absorb information, especially through the mass media.

   The Internet has changed the way we consume news.

   1 more example

   And influencers are identifying the brands, music, and TV shows that Americans consume.

   2026 March 9, Cyrus Veyssi, “In Defense of Influencers”, in TIME, archived from the original on 14 Mar 2026