Wiktionary

consume

See also: consumé

English edit

Etymology edit

From Middle English consumen, from Old French consumer, from Latin cōnsūmere, cōnsūmō, from con- (“with, together”) +‎ sūmō (“take; consume”), from sub- +‎ emō (“to buy, take”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₁em- (“to take, distribute”), possibly related to the root *nem- (“to take or give one's due”).

Pronunciation edit

Verb edit

consume (third-person singular simple present consumes, present participle consuming, simple past and past participle consumed)

  1. (transitive) To use up.
    The power plant consumes 30 tons of coal per hour.
  2. (transitive) To eat.
    Baby birds consume their own weight in food each day.
    • 2017, BioWare, Mass Effect: Andromeda (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Andromeda Wildlife: Overview Codex entry:
      Concerns were raised around the ability of Milky Way species to consume proteins from Andromeda, so seed banks formed a significant part of the arks' cargo. We now know it is safe to consume food grown or hunted here, though enzyme supplements are recommended and have become a social norm at mealtimes.
  3. (transitive) To completely occupy the thoughts or attention of.
    Desire consumed him.
  4. (transitive) To destroy completely.
    The building was consumed by fire.
  5. (intransitive, obsolete) To waste away slowly.
  6. (economics, transitive, intransitive) To trade money for good or services as an individual.
    In a materialistic society, individuals are taught to consume, consume, consume.
    If you consume this product while in Japan, you may be subject to consumption tax.
  7. (transitive) To absorb information, especially through the mass media.
    The Internet has changed the way we consume news.

Synonyms edit

Derived terms edit

Related terms edit

Translations edit

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

Anagrams edit

French edit

Pronunciation edit

Verb edit

consume

  1. inflection of consumer:
    1. first/third-person singular present indicative/subjunctive
    2. second-person singular imperative

Anagrams edit

Galician edit

Verb edit

consume

  1. second-person singular imperative of consumir

Latin edit

Verb edit

cōnsūme

  1. second-person singular present active imperative of cōnsūmō

Portuguese edit

Verb edit

consume

  1. inflection of consumar:
    1. first/third-person singular present subjunctive
    2. third-person singular imperative

Spanish edit

Verb edit

consume

  1. inflection of consumir:
    1. third-person singular present indicative
    2. second-person singular imperative

Verb edit

consume

  1. inflection of consumar:
    1. first/third-person singular present subjunctive
    2. third-person singular imperative
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