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 of feeder

• 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

Then, display them loosely in a suet feeder where nesting birds can easily spot and gather them up. — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 20 July 2026

These trees naturally have shallow feeder root systems, and as the tree ages and grows, these roots thicken and break through the surface. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 19 July 2026

The feeder uses an app called VicoHome, and the bird-recognition feature is subscription-based. — New Atlas, 18 July 2026

Lonnie has spent the past decade on the Korn-Ferry Tour, the feeder tour for the PGA, which produced The Hawk through its PGA Tour Studios banner. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026

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