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
Red Dye Red dye–or any sugar other than white for hummingbird feeders–should be avoided.
—
Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2025
But while some schools embrace being a feeder program, Belmont has not.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 27 Nov. 2025
The life-extension aspect of the program, known as the Major Component Replacement (MCR), involves replacing critical reactor components, including steam generators, pressure tubes, calandria tubes, and feeder tubes.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 25 Nov. 2025
Hertzog included an image displaying feeder cattle futures and showing across-the-board declines in contract prices for young cattle.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for feeder
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2025
But while some schools embrace being a feeder program, Belmont has not.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 27 Nov. 2025
The life-extension aspect of the program, known as the Major Component Replacement (MCR), involves replacing critical reactor components, including steam generators, pressure tubes, calandria tubes, and feeder tubes.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 25 Nov. 2025
Hertzog included an image displaying feeder cattle futures and showing across-the-board declines in contract prices for young cattle.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 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 5 Dec. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share