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

• 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

The public is asked not to moor to or stand on the feeders. —Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Weeks later, three appeared at our thistle feeders, and a fourth, an immature, arrived as well. —Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025

This protective plastic or metal shield prevents squirrels from climbing up poles or onto the tops of feeders. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2025

Taps could be tens, or hundreds, of customers, and those larger feeder lines could be in the thousands. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 30 July 2025

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