consumer

noun

con·​sum·​er kən-ˈsü-mər How to pronounce consumer (audio)
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 noun

Examples of consumer in a Sentence

Many consumers are still not comfortable making purchases on the Internet.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The package implements health certification requirements, voids contracts between brokers and consumers that require deposits and bans brokers from selling animals in the state. Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025 By making comparisons between regions or programs that aren’t actually aligned—or relying on data that isn’t contextually accurate—brands risk damaging their reputation and consumer trust in their sustainability efforts. Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 13 Oct. 2025 Making the games available on Peacock gives the company a chance to bring younger consumers and cord-cutters under its tent, says Storms. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025 For buyers, extra money dries up GM’s strategy of crafting electrified options for its most popular models like the Chevrolet Blazer, Equinox and Silverado directly addressed what consumers wanted from the automaker’s emerging offerings, said Joseph Yoon, Edmunds' consumer insights analyst. Jackie Charniga, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for consumer

Word History

Etymology

see consume

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of consumer was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Consumer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consumer. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

consumer

noun
con·​sum·​er kən-ˈsü-mər How to pronounce consumer (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on consumer

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