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
Synonyms
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
Participants can enjoy a flight of three tasters of wine while creating a hummingbird feeder from a wine bottle.
—
Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
His stand was set up along a travel corridor roughly 40 yards away from a feeder.
—Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 31 Oct. 2024
Thanksgiving is becoming a competition of the bottom (price) feeders.
—Melvin Backman, Quartz, 29 Oct. 2024
Seeing hummingbirds delight at backyard feeders is one of the many joys of birders across the South, but making sure they are kept happy–and staying at your feeder–can be an overwhelming thought.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for feeder 
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show current usage.
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Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
His stand was set up along a travel corridor roughly 40 yards away from a feeder.
—Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 31 Oct. 2024
Thanksgiving is becoming a competition of the bottom (price) feeders.
—Melvin Backman, Quartz, 29 Oct. 2024
Seeing hummingbirds delight at backyard feeders is one of the many joys of birders across the South, but making sure they are kept happy–and staying at your feeder–can be an overwhelming thought.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for feeder
Dictionary Entries Near feeder
Cite this Entry
“Feeder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feeder. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
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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