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feeder

noun, often attributive
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feed·​er | \ ˈfē-dər How to pronounce feeder (audio) \

Definition of feeder

1 : one that feeds: such as
a : one that fattens livestock for slaughter
b : a device or apparatus for supplying food
2 : one that eats or takes nourishment especially : an animal being fattened or one suitable for fattening
3a : one that supplies, replenishes, or connects
b : tributary sense 1
c : a heavy wire conductor supplying electricity at some point of an electric distribution system (as from a substation)
d : branch especially : a branch transportation line
e : a road that provides access to a major artery
Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about feeder

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Examples of feeder in a Sentence

a pigeon feeder holding a bag of stale bread the lake has several feeders that have their headwaters near the Canadian border
Recent Examples on the Web Deputies are investigating a 2-car crash on the northbound feeder of US 59 at Little York. — Alison Medley, Houston Chronicle, "Hit-and-run driver flees in Mercedes after deadly crash on Eastex Freeway," 22 Dec. 2019 Even the spread is set up to evenly balance the two bottom feeders. — Joe Williams, USA TODAY Sportsbook Wire, "New Orleans Pelicans at Golden State Warriors odds, picks and best bets," 20 Dec. 2019 Instead, the binos revealed a giant gray boar hog lumbering toward the feeder. — Will Brantley, Field & Stream, "Why Our Hunting Editor, a 6.5 Creedmoor Hater, Finally Caved and Bought a New Rifle," 6 Dec. 2019 The department took that specimen, which had died, though the resident reported seeing a live hornet buzzing near a bird feeder before escaping into a nearby forest. — Scottie Andrew, CNN, "A giant hornet has invaded Washington state, and it's hungry for honeybees," 23 Dec. 2019 Any holiday gift ideas besides bird feeders and bird baths? — Ellen Nibali, baltimoresun.com, "Garden Q&A: What is this cricket in the basement? And how to help the birds.," 5 Dec. 2019 Residents in the zone with a bird feeder can keep track of the birds that come to visit on Dec. 14 and submit that information to Moore. — Jamie Swinnerton, Houston Chronicle, "Christmas Bird Count still taking volunteers for Spring area," 5 Dec. 2019 Mark Stinziano's backyard security camera captured video of a bear that had knocked over a bird feeder and was eating its contents. — Jordan Culver, USA TODAY, "A dog named Riley saw a bear in his neighbor's backyard in New Jersey. He wasn't scared," 11 July 2019 More activities include wandering through an apple orchard, pumpkin painting, printing fruits and vegetables on tea towels, making bird feeder garlands and learning how to save seeds. — Domenica Bongiovanni, Indianapolis Star, "5,000 pumpkins and a pumpkin-covered bridge: Newfields unveils Harvest festival details," 21 Feb. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'feeder.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of feeder

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Time Traveler for feeder

Time Traveler

The first known use of feeder was in the 14th century

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Statistics for feeder

Last Updated

16 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Feeder.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feeder. Accessed 22 January 2020.

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More Definitions for feeder

feeder

noun
How to pronounce feeder (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of feeder

: a device for supplying food to animals
: a person who supplies food for animals
: a road, railway, etc., that connects to a larger road, railway, etc.

See the full definition for feeder in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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More from Merriam-Webster on feeder

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for feeder

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with feeder

Spanish Central: Translation of feeder

Nglish: Translation of feeder for Spanish Speakers

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