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
And gazing out at the magnificent views, as hummingbirds and orioles encircle the feeders.
—
Irv Erdos, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
Light feeders, such as leafy greens, may not need any fertilizer when grown in melon pits; however, melons and other heavy feeders usually require light applications of supplemental fertilizer throughout the growing season.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2025
Hummingbird history During the research process, the study authors sifted through newspaper archives in California, tracking hummingbird feeder mentions by county and comparing that to census data and scientific bird counts.
—Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 23 May 2025
Rotate the location of the feeder every few weeks to keep ants confused.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for feeder
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Irv Erdos, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
Light feeders, such as leafy greens, may not need any fertilizer when grown in melon pits; however, melons and other heavy feeders usually require light applications of supplemental fertilizer throughout the growing season.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2025
Hummingbird history During the research process, the study authors sifted through newspaper archives in California, tracking hummingbird feeder mentions by county and comparing that to census data and scientific bird counts.
—Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 23 May 2025
Rotate the location of the feeder every few weeks to keep ants confused.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 18 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 15 Jun. 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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