A consumable is something designed to be used up and then replaced. When you eat an apple, sharpen a pencil, or use up the ink in a pen, you're consuming consumables.

In video games, consumables are items like health potions or power-ups that disappear after you use them, unlike permanent items like armor or weapons. In an office, consumables include things like printer paper, staples, and toner cartridges: supplies that get used up during normal work and need regular replacement.

The opposite of a consumable is a durable good, something meant to last for years, like a bicycle or a refrigerator. When your family budgets for school, consumables like notebooks and erasers appear in a different category from durable items like a backpack or calculator that should last the whole year.

Understanding what makes something consumable helps explain why some things cost less but need frequent replacement. A disposable water bottle is a consumable, while a reusable water bottle is durable. The consumable costs less upfront but adds up over time, while the durable item costs more initially but saves money in the long run. When businesses track their expenses, they separate consumables from long-term purchases because consumables represent ongoing costs.