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.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. Nathan Diller, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025 Creekmore, 60, currently works a consumer and mortgage loan officer at People's Bank. Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2025 The Four-Year Tax Efficiency Gap The January 2021 ban on crypto ETNs was a misguided attempt to protect retail consumers from highly speculative cryptoassets (Bitcoin traded at $40k at the time). Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2025 In an era when streaming subscribers pick their own viewing hours, every program is watched by individual consumers at different times of day, in different geographic regions and with different interests and needs. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 6 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 8 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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