consumption

Universal Words noun [U] 1 the act of using energy, food or materials; the amount used: the production of fuel for domestic consumption (= to be used in the country where it is produced) * Gas and oil consumption always increases in cold weather. * The meat was declared unfit for human consumption. * He was advised to reduce his alcohol consumption. * Her speech to party members was not intended for public consumption (= to be heard by the public). seealsoCONSUME 2 the act of buying and using products: Consumption rather than saving has become the central feature of contemporary societies. seealsoCONSPICUOUSCONSUMPTION, CONSUME 3 (old-fashioned) a serious infectious disease of the lungs SYNTUBERCULOSIS