consumer

noun

con·​sum·​er kən-ˈsü-mər 

often attributive

: one that consumes: such as

a

: one that utilizes economic goods

Many consumers shop online.

b

: an organism requiring complex organic compounds for food which it obtains by preying on other organisms or by eating particles of organic matter compare producer sense 3

consumership

kən-ˈsü-mər-ˌship 

noun

Examples of consumer in a Sentence

Many consumers are still not comfortable making purchases on the Internet.

Recent Examples on the Web

This legislation invoked back-to-school, disaster preparedness, July freedom month and skilled trades equipment tax holidays, easing costs for consumers. —Nicole Huyer, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2026

But, Spitzer said, the move came only after a local television station contacted Amazon about the sales – not after California’s attorney general issued a consumer alert in April, not after children had already died. —Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 24 May 2026

For restaurant chains, bars and hospitality groups, the 2026 tournament represents a rare opportunity to drive weeks of sustained consumer traffic. —Valentina Di Donato, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026

But petrochemicals derived from oil and gas production are found in more than 6,000 products consumers use daily – including aspirin, keyboards, perfumes, contact lenses and vitamin capsules. —Pippa Stevens,macklin Fishman, CNBC, 24 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

see consume

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing consumer

• anti-consumer
• consumer confidence
• consumer credit
• consumer debt
• consumer durables
• consumer goods
• consumer price index

Rhymes for consumer

• perfumer
• antitumor
• pseudotumor
• boomer
• humor
• humour
• plumer
• rumor
• rumour
• tumor
• tumour

Kids Definition

consumer

noun

con·​sum·​er kən-ˈsü-mər 

1

: one that consumes

especially : a person who buys and uses up goods

2

: a plant or animal that requires complex organic compounds for food which it obtains by preying on other living things or eating particles of organic matter compare producer sense 3

Legal Definition

consumer

noun

con·​sum·​er

: one that utilizes economic goods

specifically : an individual who purchases goods for personal use as distinguished from commercial use