consume

UK: /kənˈsjuːm/ US: /kənˈsum/ ,(kən so̅o̅m′)

Inflections of 'consume' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

consumes

v 3rd person singular

consuming

v pres p

consumed

v past

consumed

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

con•sume /kənˈsum/   v., -sumed, -sum•ing. 

1. to use up;
   expend:
   [~ + object] The minivan consumes a lot of gas.
2. to eat or drink up;
   devour:
   [~ + object] consumed several six-packs of beer.
3. [~ + object] to destroy, as by burning:
   Fire consumed the forest.
4. [~ + object] to keep the interest of;
   engross:
   I was consumed with curiosity.
5. to use or use up consumer goods:
   [no object] If consumers don't consume, then workers won't work.

See -sum-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

con•sume  (kən so̅o̅m′), v., -sumed, -sum•ing. 
v.t. 

1. to destroy or expend by use;
   use up.
2. to eat or drink up;
   devour.
3. to destroy, as by decomposition or burning:
   Fire consumed the forest.
4. to spend (money, time, etc.) wastefully.
5. to absorb;
   engross:
   consumed with curiosity.

v.i. 

6. to undergo destruction;
   waste away.
7. to use or use up consumer goods.

• *subs-(e)m-, equivalent. to subs-, variant of sub- sub- + emere to take, buy)
• *subzm-
• *suzm-
• Latin consūmere, equivalent. to con- con- + sūmere to take up (perh.
• Middle French consumer)
• Middle English (1350–1400

Synonyms

• 1. exhaust, deplete.
• 4. squander, dissipate.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

consume / kənˈsjuːm/ verb

1. (transitive) to eat or drink
2. (tr; often passive) to engross or obsess
3. (transitive) to use up; expend
4. (transitive) to watch or read (information that has been broadcast or published)
5. to destroy or be destroyed by burning, decomposition, etc: fire consumed the forest
6. (transitive) to waste or squander
7. (passive) to waste away

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin consūmere to devour, from com- (intensive) + sūmere to take up, from emere to take, purchase

conˈsuming adjective