A good is considered to be non-rival in consumption if:

A good is classified as non-rival in consumption when one person's consumption does not diminish the ability of others to consume the same good. This means that multiple individuals can use or benefit from the good simultaneously without reducing its availability for others.

For example, consider public goods like air or national defense; one person's use of these resources does not prevent another person from using them as well. Since non-rival goods can be consumed freely by many without affecting others' consumption, this characteristic is fundamental in understanding concepts related to market efficiency and public service provision.

In contrast, goods that are rival in consumption create competition among users because when one person consumes the good, there is less of it available for someone else. Understanding this distinction is crucial for analyzing how different types of goods can be managed and allocated in an economy.