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

Unresolved issues run the gamut, from antitrust protections to chip export controls to whether existing consumer laws are sufficient to protect people from harmful AI. — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Most consumer clocks are built on DNA methylation, a process in which chemical tags called methyl groups attach to DNA as a person ages, altering the cytosine base and creating a pattern that correlates with biological age. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026

Although consumers do not pay that rate directly, changes to the federal funds rate ripple through the economy, affecting many borrowing and savings rates. — Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026

In the 1980s, Mackie entered the consumer market with a ready-to-wear collection and QVC Wearable Art and home furnishings collections. — Maureen Lee Lenker, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 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