consumer

noun

con·​sum·​er kən-ˈsü-mər 

often attributive

: one that consumes: such as

a

: one that utilizes economic goods

Many consumers make purchases on the Internet.

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

Hosted by editor-at-large David Pierce, the show will take a look each week at the historical implications of a gadget, app, website, or product from consumer technology’s past. —Max Tani, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2025

Like a coach revealed to be betting against their own team, Amazon’s actions, if proven unlawful, would amount to a fundamental breach of the trust the company asked consumers to give it. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2025

The report examines what matters most to Gen Z and Gen Alpha and interprets generational shifts in consumer behavior linked to mental health, identity and more. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 22 Sep. 2025

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