often attributive
1
: one that feeds: such as
a
: one that fattens livestock for slaughter
b
: a device or apparatus for supplying food
2
: one that eats or takes nourishment
especially
: an animal being fattened or one suitable for fattening
3
a
: one that supplies, replenishes, or connects
c
: a heavy wire conductor supplying electricity at some point of an electric distribution system (as from a substation)
d
: branch
especially
: a branch transportation line
e
: a road that provides access to a major artery
Examples of feeder in a Sentence
a pigeon feeder holding a bag of stale bread
the lake has several feeders that have their headwaters near the Canadian border
Recent Examples on the Web
That revelation challenges the assumption that megalodon was the exclusive ruler of the oceans and draws comparisons with the great white shark, another large opportunistic feeder.
—
Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 27 May 2025
Corn is also a heavy feeder with shallow roots that compete with other plants for nutrients.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 May 2025
But that village has much to gain and, people often forget, Chicago needs its suburban feeders to be economically prosperous so the residents there can spend money in the city.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025
Some studies suggest that feeders have led some bird species to extend their territories and delay migration, but there are a lot of working parts to the explanation including climate change and urban development.
—Joan Morris, Mercury News, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for feeder
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 27 May 2025
Corn is also a heavy feeder with shallow roots that compete with other plants for nutrients.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 May 2025
But that village has much to gain and, people often forget, Chicago needs its suburban feeders to be economically prosperous so the residents there can spend money in the city.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025
Some studies suggest that feeders have led some bird species to extend their territories and delay migration, but there are a lot of working parts to the explanation including climate change and urban development.
—Joan Morris, Mercury News, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for feeder
Cite this Entry
“Feeder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feeder. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
feeder
noun
feed·er
ˈfēd-ər 
1
: a device for supplying food
bird feeder
b
: a branch (as of a river or a transportation system) that supplies or connects to another
2
: one that eats
especially
: an animal being fattened or suitable for fattening
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