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
This approach is all about hands in the dirt, herbs on the windowsill, and birds at the feeder.
—
Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2025
Using a pet collar tag, the feeder will only open for the specific pet wearing the collar, meaning Fido won’t get the cat’s food, or multiple cats will each get the same amount.
—Simon Hill, Wired News, 12 July 2025
Moderate feeders like carrots and okra require fertilizer before planting and again around mid-season, during flowering and fruiting.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 12 July 2025
Late last August, heavy flooding throughout Bangladesh resulted in a similar situation, in which the discharge of cargo from mainline vessels to feeder vessels was suspended.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for feeder
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Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2025
Using a pet collar tag, the feeder will only open for the specific pet wearing the collar, meaning Fido won’t get the cat’s food, or multiple cats will each get the same amount.
—Simon Hill, Wired News, 12 July 2025
Moderate feeders like carrots and okra require fertilizer before planting and again around mid-season, during flowering and fruiting.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 12 July 2025
Late last August, heavy flooding throughout Bangladesh resulted in a similar situation, in which the discharge of cargo from mainline vessels to feeder vessels was suspended.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 9 July 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 21 Jul. 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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