consumption
gb/kənsˈʌmpʃən/ us/kənsˈʌmpʃən/
B1
English
~ 2600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
action
1
Use of goods or services
The act of using goods, services, or resources.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s consumption of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'consumption' with 'consumer', which is a person who buys goods or services, not the act itself.
Synonyms
use (More general and less formal; can apply to any instance of putting something into service.)
|
utilization (More formal and technical, often used in business or engineering contexts.)
Antonyms
production (Refers to the creation of goods or services, the opposite of using them.)
Collocations
energy consumption
|water consumption
|fuel consumption
|high consumption
|reduce consumption
Themes
economics
|daily life
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Energy consumption has increased significantly over the last decade.
- The government is trying to reduce water consumption during the drought.
- Her daily coffee consumption is surprisingly high.
- We need to track fuel consumption for each vehicle.
- The report shows a rise in electricity consumption.
Learner examples
- My phone battery consumption is very high.
- We must lower our water consumption.
- Fuel consumption is higher in winter.
- They want to cut energy consumption.
- The city tracks power consumption every month.
Noun
B1
action
2
Eating or drinking something
When someone eats or drinks something.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s consumption of [food/drink]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'eat' or 'drink' instead of 'consumption' in formal writing, where 'consumption' is more appropriate.
Synonyms
intake (Common in health and nutrition contexts; refers to the amount consumed.)
Antonyms
abstinence (The act of not consuming certain foods or drinks, especially alcohol.)
Collocations
alcohol consumption
|meat consumption
|sugar consumption
|moderate consumption
Themes
food
|health
|food_drink
Examples
- Alcohol consumption is prohibited for people under 21 in the US.
- Moderate sugar consumption is recommended for good health.
- The doctor advised him to reduce his meat consumption.
- High salt consumption can lead to health problems.
- Fruit and vegetable consumption has increased in recent years.
Learner examples
- My coffee consumption is too high.
- Alcohol consumption is not allowed here.
- He reduced his sugar consumption.
- Meat consumption is falling in some countries.
- Too much salt consumption is bad.
Noun
technical
B2
quantity
3
Amount of fuel or energy used
How much fuel, power, or energy a machine uses.
Usage pattern:
[machine]'s [fuel/energy] consumption
Synonyms
expenditure (Formal; can be used for resources like energy but also for money.)
Antonyms
generation (In energy contexts, refers to producing energy rather than using it.)
Collocations
fuel consumption rate
|low energy consumption
|measure fuel consumption
Themes
technology
|transportation
|energy
|science
Examples
- This car has low fuel consumption compared to others in its class.
- We need to monitor electricity consumption in the factory.
- The engine's fuel consumption increases at higher speeds.
- Reducing energy consumption is a key goal for the company.
- Solar panels help reduce household power consumption.
Learner examples
- This car has low fuel consumption.
- We check the power consumption every month.
- The machine's fuel consumption is too high.
- Low energy consumption saves money.
- They measure gas consumption carefully.
Noun
B2
action
4
Buying and using goods in economy
When people buy and use things as part of the economy.
Synonyms
demand (Refers specifically to the desire or need for goods and services, which drives consumption.)
Antonyms
saving (Keeping money instead of spending it on goods and services.)
Collocations
consumer consumption
|domestic consumption
|private consumption
Themes
economics
|business
|finance
Examples
- Domestic consumption has slowed due to economic uncertainty.
- Private consumption accounts for a large part of GDP.
- The government encourages local production and consumption.
- Rising incomes have led to increased consumer consumption.
- Exports fell while domestic consumption grew.
Learner examples
- Domestic consumption is growing fast.
- Private consumption is important for the economy.
- Consumption affects the GDP.
- People's spending habits change total consumption.
- Consumption grew last year.
Noun
literary
C1
entity
5
Old term for tuberculosis disease
An old word for tuberculosis, a serious lung disease that makes people very weak and thin.
Synonyms
tuberculosis (Modern medical term for the disease formerly called 'consumption'.)
Collocations
die of consumption
|suffer from consumption
Themes
medicine
|history
|health
Examples
- In the 19th century, many people died from consumption.
- Consumption was once a leading cause of death in Europe.
- Her pale face made them fear she had contracted consumption.
Learner examples
- Long ago, many died from consumption.
- Consumption is now called tuberculosis.
- He got sick with consumption in old times.
Grammar
Dictionary form
consumption
IPA
GB/kənsˈʌmpʃən/
US/kənsˈʌmpʃən/
Syllables & stress
con - sump - tion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (sump)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: consumption
- Plural: consumption, consumptions
Word family
Forms
consumptions
noun
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
non-consumable
adjective
Advanced or less common
overconsumption
noun
Expressions
for public consumption
1/fɚ pˈʌblɪk kənsˈʌmpʃən/
fixed phrase
Intended for general public viewing or knowledge
Made for everyone to see or know, not private.
Examples
- The politician's remarks were clearly meant for public consumption.
- This version of the report is for public consumption; the full one remains confidential.
fuel consumption
1/fjˈul kənsˈʌmpʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
Amount of fuel used by machine/vehicle
How much fuel a car, plane, or machine uses over time or distance.
Examples
- Fuel consumption increases when you drive fast.
- Hybrid cars have lower fuel consumption than traditional cars.
mass consumption
1/mˈæs kənsˈʌmpʃən/
fixed phrase
Large-scale use of goods by many people
When many people use a product or service.
Examples
- Television became popular with the arrival of mass consumption in the 20th century.
- Fast fashion relies on mass consumption to stay profitable.