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

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. —Nathan Diller, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025

The Maryland Office of People’s Counsel argues that the $180 million that consumers would have to pay annually under the deal to keep the plants open is $83 million more than Talen’s costs. —Jeremy Cox, Baltimore Sun, 23 Apr. 2025

Newsweek's New & Noteworthy, in partnership with the Best New Product Awards, is a weekly editorial feature that helps consumers discover the latest and greatest products! —Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025

Cava should be one of few consumer companies not to have to cut guidance given the uncertain economic backdrop, according to Gargiulo. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 23 Apr. 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