From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishconsumecon‧sume /kənˈsjuːm $ -ˈsuːm/ ●●○ AWL verb [transitive] 1 USE/CONSUMEto use time, energy, goods etc → consumption Only 27% of the paper we consume is recycled. A smaller vehicle will consume less fuel.2 formalEATDRINK to eat or drink something → consumer, consumption Alcohol may not be consumed on the premises.► see thesaurus at eat3 STRONG FEELING OR BELIEF literary if a feeling or idea consumes you, it affects you very strongly, so that you cannot think about anything else She was scared by the depression which threatened to consume her.be consumed with something He was consumed with guilt after the accident.4 formalDESTROY if fire consumes something, it destroys it completely → time-consuming→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
consume• The pathologist at the inquest said that Zyban could have reacted with the alcohol James had consumed.• The US imports 45% of the oil that it consumes.• For example, how many calories a day do you consume?• By 1910 the inhabitants of Britain consumed a million tons of meat over and above home produce.• The college permits students who are 21 or older to consume alcoholic beverages in their dorm rooms.• Like many consumed by a powerful love, he has been searching since not so much for a replacement as an alternative.• In order to survive human beings need to consume food and water.• People who consume large amounts of animal fats are more likely to get cancer and heart disease.• Those in the Peck case consumed months.• Industrialized countries consume natural resources in huge quantities.• This year, health care costs will consume one-eighth of the average family's income.• More actual cheese will be consumed than ever before.• The egg, if injected, would hatch into a wasp grub that would consume the caterpillar from the inside.be consumed with something• The desserts can be consumed with an utterly clear conscience when you have calories to spare in your daily allowance.• They are expected by friends and neighbours to follow the normal passages of grieving, yet often they are consumed with anger.• My friend Lindsey said I was consumed with earthy desires and unable to reach the higher planes.• I was consumed with envy of the young men and women who drifted together through the streets.• The thing I liked best about Teravainen was that he was consumed with factual accuracy.• Fortunately, even flawed loaves are usually delicious and can often be consumed with great joy.• Like most coaches, I am consumed with my work.From Longman Business Dictionaryconsumecon‧sume /kənˈsjuːm-ˈsuːm/ verb1[intransitive, transitive] to buy and use goods, services, energy, or natural materialsNever underestimate the power of the American citizen to consume.The UK and France consume more gas than Italy, mainly because of their colder climates.2[transitive] to use money or time that could be used for something elseExpenses consume less than 16 cents of every revenue dollar at Wal-Mart.Lawsuits consume time and hurt a company’s image.→ See Verb tableOrigin consume (1300-1400) Old French consumer, from Latin consumere, from com- ( → COM-) + sumere “to take up, take” 