The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Consume \Con*sume"\ (k[o^]n*s[=u]m"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
   Consumed (k[o^]n*s[=u]md"); 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.
   [1913 Webster]

         If he were putting to my house the brand
         That shall consume it.                   --Shak.
   [1913 Webster]

         Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where
         neither moth nor rust doth consume.      --Matt. vi. 20
                                                  (Rev. Ver.).
   [1913 Webster]

         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.
        [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

consuming \consuming\ adj.
   taking up most of one's attention; ardent; as, politics is
   his consuming passion.

   Syn: overwhelming.
        [WordNet 1.5]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

consuming
    adj 1: very intense; "politics is his consuming passion";
           "overwhelming joy" [syn: consuming, overwhelming]