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
The disruption has led to vessel wait times of up to seven days, barge congestion of 76 hours and feeder vessel delays of 72 hours.
—
Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 4 Mar. 2025
Sea cucumbers are scavenger feeders that use the tube feet along their belly to move along the seafloor, according to the National Wildlife Federation.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2025
Could the format generate incrementally more interest in a few late-season games involving the bottom feeders?
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
Fertilize in Spring and Summer Succulents aren’t heavy feeders.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for feeder
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 4 Mar. 2025
Sea cucumbers are scavenger feeders that use the tube feet along their belly to move along the seafloor, according to the National Wildlife Federation.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2025
Could the format generate incrementally more interest in a few late-season games involving the bottom feeders?
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
Fertilize in Spring and Summer Succulents aren’t heavy feeders.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Feb. 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 12 Mar. 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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