Each number gets consumed (5)
I believe the answer is:
eaten
'consumed' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'each number' is the wordplay.
'each' becomes 'ea' (abbreviation).
'number' becomes 'ten' (ten is a kind of whole number).
'ea'+'ten'='EATEN'
'gets' is the link.
(Other definitions for eaten that I've seen before include "courses enjoyed?" , "corroded" , "used for food" , "worried" , "Consumed" .)