# consume

Pronunciation: US say "kuhn-SOOM" /kənˈsum/; say "kuhn-SYOOM" UK /kənˈsjuːm/, AUS /kənˈsjʉːm/

## Verb

1. To use something up entirely, leaving little or nothing remaining.
   - Simple: To use something completely until none of it is left.
   - _The factory consumed thousands of gallons of water during the heat wave._
   - _Large data centers consume enormous amounts of electricity every hour._
2. To take something in by eating or drinking it.
   - Simple: To eat or drink something.
   - _Athletes consume large amounts of protein after training._
   - _The guests consumed everything on the table before dessert._
3. To destroy something completely, especially by burning or wearing it down.
   - Simple: To destroy something completely, often by fire.
   - _The wildfire consumed thousands of acres of forest._
   - _Rust can slowly consume an iron bridge if it is left untreated._
4. To take over someone's thoughts or attention completely.
   - Simple: To fill someone's mind so fully that they can think of little else.
   - _Grief consumed him for months after the loss._
   - _Ambition can consume even the most level-headed people._
5. To read, watch, or listen to information or content, especially from the mass media.
   - Simple: To take in news or information, often from TV or the internet.
   - _Younger audiences consume most of their news through social media._
   - _He consumed podcasts and long-form articles to stay informed._
6. To buy and use goods or services as an individual within the economy.
   - Simple: To buy and use goods or services with your money.
   - _Households consume more imported products as their incomes grow._
   - _During a recession, families tend to consume cautiously._

## Verb

7. To waste away gradually, growing weaker and weaker over time. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To slowly grow weaker and waste away.

## Origin

From Middle English consumen, via Old French consumer, from Latin cōnsūmere ("to take up, use up"), formed from con- ("with, together") and sūmō ("take, consume"), itself from sub- plus emō ("to buy, take"). This traces ultimately to Proto-Indo-European *h₁em- ("to take, distribute"), possibly related to the root *nem- ("to take or give one's due").

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/consume (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).