- 1(formal) 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 increase in cold weather. The meat was declared unfit for human consumption. He was advised to reduce his alcohol consumption. Her speech to the town council was not intended for public consumption (= to be heard by the public). see consume
- 2the act of buying and using products Consumption rather than saving has become the central feature of contemporary societies. see conspicuous consumption, consume
- 3(old-fashioned) a serious infectious disease of the lungs synonym tuberculosis
Check pronunciation: consumption