often attributive
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
3
a
: one that supplies, replenishes, or connects
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
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
In August 2004, the league launched Chivas USA, a club owned and operated by Chivas Guadalajara — allowing a Liga MX club to launch a feeder team in MLS.
—
Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 9 June 2025
Husband Nick planted down the left field line, watching as a proud father and former Cherry Creek feeder team coach who worked with many of the kids on the roster.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 31 May 2025
How To Grow And Care For Sunflowers Potatoes Both potatoes and sunflowers are heavy feeders with deep roots, which puts them in direct competition.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 May 2025
But once hummingbird feeders took off, the birds really began to thrive.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for feeder
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 9 June 2025
Husband Nick planted down the left field line, watching as a proud father and former Cherry Creek feeder team coach who worked with many of the kids on the roster.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 31 May 2025
How To Grow And Care For Sunflowers Potatoes Both potatoes and sunflowers are heavy feeders with deep roots, which puts them in direct competition.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 May 2025
But once hummingbird feeders took off, the birds really began to thrive.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for feeder
Cite this Entry
“Feeder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feeder. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
feeder
noun
feed·er
ˈfēd-ər 
1
: a device for supplying food
bird feeder
b
: a branch (as of a river or a transportation system) that supplies or connects to another
2
: one that eats
especially
: an animal being fattened or suitable for fattening
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