consumer

noun

con·​sum·​er kən-ˈsü-mər 

often attributive

: one that consumes: such as

a

: one that utilizes economic goods

Many consumers shop online.

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

Mbappé also has stakes in German consumer electronics company Loewe International, Ligue 2 club Stade Malherbe Caen, the France SailGP Team and luxury watch trading platform Wristcheck. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 6 Oct. 2026

This addresses a younger consumer and elevates Heinemann’s beauty offer with a strong local brand partner, which comes with its own selection highly dedicated to beauty subcategories. — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026

But consumers may see some indirect savings on groceries and consumer goods through lower supply-chain costs, as the exemption seeks to lower costs for farmers and truckers. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 6 Oct. 2026

Mac Haddow of the American Kratom Association has applauded the DEA’s 7-OH ban but has also blamed irresponsible consumers for any deaths caused by natural kratom use. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026

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