Meaning

• To use up.

  "The power plant consumes 30 tons of coal per hour."

• To eat.

  "Baby birds consume their own weight in food each day."

• To completely occupy the thoughts or attention of.

  "Desire consumed him."

• To destroy completely.

  "The building was consumed by fire."

• To waste away slowly.

• To trade money for good or services as an individual.

  "If you consume this product while in Japan, you may be subject to consumption tax."

• To absorb information, especially through the mass media.

  "The Internet has changed the way we consume news."