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

What then, can consumers reasonably expect from an insurer? —Rachel Rabkin Peachman, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025

Tariffs are essentially taxes, and importers have a choice of absorbing the cost themselves or passing it on to consumers, in the form of higher prices. —John Cassidy, New Yorker, 9 June 2025

Advertisers still crave ways of getting their messages and promotions in front of large crowds, rather than cobbling together a broad set of consumer impressions via individual viewing sessions — a significant part of streaming activity. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 9 June 2025

The surge comes as consumers strive to navigate the ever-changing tariff landscape. —Joe Enoch, CBS News, 9 June 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