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

The rising price of components could be passed on to consumers and that will in turn, drive the rise in the average selling price. —Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2025

Every dollar swimming in this pond comes from taxpayers, ratepayers or consumers, all paying higher taxes, rates and prices as costs are passed through. —Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 7 Dec. 2025

Such inflammatory language about the shot (offered, again, without explanation or evidence) from the FDA’s top vaccine regulator is hardly likely to improve consumers’ confidence in its value. —Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 7 Dec. 2025

The office is also tasked with approving new drugs that pharmaceutical companies are seeking to bring to market and providing guidance to health care professionals and consumers. —Michael Kaplan, CBS News, 7 Dec. 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