feeder

noun

feed·​er ˈfē-dər 

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

b

: tributary sense 1

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 of feeder

• tributary

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

Ensuring your porch is unwelcoming by relocating bird baths or feeders and trimming nearby trees can prevent birds from making nests. —Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 13 June 2026

The investments include replacing 17,771 wood poles; 406 new transmission circuit miles; 775 megawatts of new generation interconnected to transmission; and 50 new distribution feeders. —Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 13 June 2026

Tomatoes are heavy feeders and need regular fertilizing to continue producing fruit. —Cori Sears, The Spruce, 11 June 2026

However, amid the worsening violence and frequent attacks at the ports, a number of shipping lines have ceased calling directly on Port-au-Prince and instead route cargo through regional hubs such as Jamaica before transferring to smaller feeder vessels. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 10 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing feeder

• bird-feeder
• bottom-feeder
• breast-feeder
• filter feeder
• self-feeder

Rhymes for feeder

• bleeder
• breeder
• leader
• lieder
• meader
• pleader
• reader
• reeder
• seeder
• weeder
• cheerleader
• proofreader

Kids 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