kənˈsʌmp.ʃən ɛkˈspɛndɪt͡ʃɚ ɛkˈspɛndɪt͡ʃə ɪnˈdʒɛstʃən ˈɪnteɪk ˈtaɪsɪs juːs the act of consuming something the process of taking food into the body through the mouth (as by eating) (economics) the utilization of economic goods to satisfy needs or in manufacturing the consumption of energy has increased steadily involving the lungs with progressive wasting of the body