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

Approximately half of the available tickets are allocated for consumers and one million premium tickets will be allotted for On Location/MLS to sell. —Asli Pelit, Sportico.com, 18 July 2024

Even after that progress made in the inflation fight, cumulative price increases during the Biden administration continue to take a toll on consumers, especially the rise in costs for essential goods like food and gas. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 18 July 2024

Tubi offers such channels as well, but a vast majority of its usage on that platform is by consumers watching video on demand. —Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 17 July 2024

Logistics costs historically are passed onto the consumer and were identified by the Federal Reserve as a reason for the fueling of inflation during the Covid pandemic. —Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 17 July 2024

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

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