con ‧ sump ‧ tion W3 AC /kənˈsʌmpʃ ə n/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ consumption , ↑ consumer ; verb : ↑ consume ]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: consumptio , from consumere ; ⇨ ↑ consume ]
1 . AMOUNT USED the amount of energy, oil, electricity etc that is used ⇨ consume
energy/fuel etc consumption
dramatic rises in fuel consumption
Vigorous exercise increases oxygen consumption.
2 . FOOD/DRINK
a) formal the act of eating or drinking ⇨ consume
consumption of
The consumption of alcohol on the premises is forbidden.
fit/unfit for human consumption (=safe or not safe to eat)
The meat was declared unfit for human consumption.
b) the amount of a substance that people eat, drink, smoke etc
alcohol/tobacco/caffeine etc consumption
The Government wants to reduce tobacco consumption by 40%.
3 . BUYING the act of buying and using products ⇨ consume , consumer :
art intended for mass consumption (=to be bought, seen etc by lots of people)
China’s austerity program has cut domestic consumption (=when products are bought in the country where they were produced) .
conspicuous consumption (=when people buy expensive products to prove they are rich)
4 . for general/public/private etc consumption intended to be heard or read only by a particular group of people:
figures that are not for public consumption
5 . old-fashioned ↑ tuberculosis
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + consumption
▪ high/low
People should stop using expensive cars with a high petrol consumption.
▪ total consumption
Total consumption of petrol has risen by 20%.
▪ domestic consumption (=use of something in the country where it is produced)
Domestic consumption of oil has increased.
▪ household consumption (=use in the home)
The government is encouraging us to reduce our household consumption of water.
▪ energy consumption
Over a quarter of our energy consumption is in the home.
▪ fuel/electricity/gas consumption
There are three possible methods of reducing oil consumption.
■ verbs
▪ reduce consumption
The system will be introduced into all stores to reduce energy consumption by up to 10%
▪ cut consumption (=reduce it)
a plan to cut energy consumption by 40%
▪ consumption rises/increases/goes up
Consumption of unleaded fuel rose by 17% in 1992.
▪ consumption falls/decreases/goes down
Coal consumption has fallen dramatically.