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
Place feeders in visible locations and clean them regularly to prevent mold and bacteria growth.
—
The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
Rake up bird seed, hulls and fecal matter beneath feeders two or more times a week.
—USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024
Making themselves at home, hooded orioles will use hummingbird feeders and make woven nests out of plants, such as large birds of paradise and banana trees, Burns said, both of which grow well in San Diego.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2024
Hummingbird feeders: Along with flowers and plants to provide shelter, hummingbird feeders are another great way to attract these little birds to your garden.
—Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 10 Apr. 2024
Our feeders have been hit once already near North Branch.
—Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2024
My own feeder draws large numbers of hummers that drink a quart of liquid every four days.
—Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
Folks with limited outdoor space can hang up hummingbird feeders filled with a sugar-water solution, Jones said.
—Sarah Linn, Sacramento Bee, 3 Apr. 2024
These five species are the most likely to be at your feeder
3.
—Cecilia Garzella, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2024
The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
Rake up bird seed, hulls and fecal matter beneath feeders two or more times a week.
—USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024
Making themselves at home, hooded orioles will use hummingbird feeders and make woven nests out of plants, such as large birds of paradise and banana trees, Burns said, both of which grow well in San Diego.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2024
Hummingbird feeders: Along with flowers and plants to provide shelter, hummingbird feeders are another great way to attract these little birds to your garden.
—Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 10 Apr. 2024
Our feeders have been hit once already near North Branch.
—Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2024
My own feeder draws large numbers of hummers that drink a quart of liquid every four days.
—Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
Folks with limited outdoor space can hang up hummingbird feeders filled with a sugar-water solution, Jones said.
—Sarah Linn, Sacramento Bee, 3 Apr. 2024
These five species are the most likely to be at your feeder
3.
—Cecilia Garzella, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'feeder.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near feeder
Cite this Entry
“Feeder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feeder. Accessed 27 Apr. 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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