
verb (used with object), con·sumed, con·sum·ing.
- to destroy or expend by use; use up.
- to eat or drink up; devour.
- to destroy, as by decomposition or burning: Fire consumed the forest.
- to spend (money, time, etc.) wastefully.
- to absorb; engross: consumed with curiosity.
verb (used without object), con·sumed, con·sum·ing.
- to undergo destruction; waste away.
- to use or use up consumer goods.
verb
- (tr) to eat or drink
- (tr; often passive) to engross or obsess
- (tr) to use up; expendmy car consumes little oil
- to destroy or be destroyed by burning, decomposition, etcfire consumed the forest
- (tr) to waste or squanderthe time consumed on that project was excessive
- (passive) to waste away
v.late 14c., from Old French consumer “to consume” (12c.) and directly from Latin consumere “to use up, eat, waste,” from com-, intensive prefix (see com-), + sumere “to take,” from sub- “under” + emere “to buy, take” (see exempt (adj.)).