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
If the solution begins to look cloudy or has floaters, empty the feeder immediately and thoroughly clean it.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2025
Slow feeder, lick mats Some dogs are casual grazers, eating a little here and there throughout the day.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025
Simply fill the bath with water and the feeder with food, and then hang these pieces from a tree, on your patio, or outside your window for the perfect view.
—Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Tsunoda, a long-time Red Bull junior who worked his way up the F1 feeder system with the team's driver development program, finally got his chance with the senior squad after Liam Lawson struggled during the first two race weekends of the season.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for feeder
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2025
Slow feeder, lick mats Some dogs are casual grazers, eating a little here and there throughout the day.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025
Simply fill the bath with water and the feeder with food, and then hang these pieces from a tree, on your patio, or outside your window for the perfect view.
—Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Tsunoda, a long-time Red Bull junior who worked his way up the F1 feeder system with the team's driver development program, finally got his chance with the senior squad after Liam Lawson struggled during the first two race weekends of the season.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 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 8 Sep. 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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