/ kənˈsʌmpʃn; NAmE / noun [ U ]
1.
the act of using energy, food or materials; the amount used :
the production of fuel for domestic consumption (= to be used in the country where it is produced)
Gas and oil consumption always increases in cold weather.
The meat was declared unfit for human consumption .
He was advised to reduce his alcohol consumption.
Her speech to party members was not intended for public consumption (= to be heard by the public) .
—see also consume
2.
the act of buying and using products :
Consumption rather than saving has become the central feature of contemporary societies.
—see also conspicuous consumption , consume
3.
( old-fashioned ) a serious infectious disease of the lungs
SYN tuberculosis
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin consumptio(n-) , from the verb consumere , from con- altogether + sumere take up.