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

Boxy, aggressive styling on SUVs has been hugely popular with consumers. —Morgan Korn, ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026

The White House is trying to assuage markets and consumers after the Consumer Price Index report released Friday found that inflation soared last month. —Brian Dakss, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026

Even in the most optimistic of scenarios, where the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran holds and the Strait of Hormuz reopens, consumer prices will remain high and inflation will almost certainly continue to gain for months. —David Goldman, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026

Well aware of price-sensitive consumers’ reliance on LPG, authorities have been pushing for consumers to adopt piped natural gas, including with door-to-door campaigns. —Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 11 Apr. 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