Con*sume" (k&obreve;n*sūm"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Consumed (- sūmd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Consuming.] [L. consumere to take wholly or completely, to consume; con- + sumere to take; sub + emere to buy. See Redeem.] To destroy, as by decomposition, dissipation, waste, or fire; to use up; to expend; to waste; to burn up; to eat up; to devour.

If he were putting to my house the brand
That shall consume it.
Shak.

Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume.
Matt. vi. 20 (Rev. Ver.).

Let me alone . . . that I may consume them.
Ex. xxxii. 10.

Syn. -- To destroy; swallow up; ingulf; absorb; waste; exhaust; spend; expend; squander; lavish; dissipate.

Con*sume" (k&obreve;n*sūm"), v. i. To waste away slowly.

Therefore, let Benedick, like covered fire,
Consume away in sighs.
Shak.

• 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 burn.
       The fire consumed thousands of acres of forest.
  
• To occupy (one's attention or thoughts).
       He was consumed with desire.