feeder

noun

feed·​er ˈfē-dər How to pronounce feeder (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Its automatic document feeder (ADF) offers single-pass duplexing (two-sided scanning), a necessity for anyone who needs to scan, copy, or fax duplex pages. PCMAG, 18 Jan. 2025 Even the robot pet feeder came with a premium price tag. Sandy Carter, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025 The real birds flock to feeders, competing with squirrels. Marge Piercy, The Atlantic, 12 Jan. 2025 Over-Fertilizing Most succulents are light feeders that only need to be fertilized sparingly during the growing season. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for feeder 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of feeder was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near feeder

Cite this Entry

“Feeder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feeder. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

feeder

noun
feed·​er ˈfēd-ər How to pronounce feeder (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on feeder

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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