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
Orchids are heavy feeders, and their soil alone won't provide enough nutrients for them.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
Many of Laguna Beach’s players arrive from a feeder, youth program and learn from a coaching staff loaded with experience.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 28 Oct. 2025
In addition to reflecting a huge range of animal sizes, the dataset also represented sharks that fill a variety of ecological niches, from reef dwellers to bottom feeders to open-ocean predators.
—Quanta Magazine, 27 Oct. 2025
Both are using social media platforms as distribution channels as well as feeder systems.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for feeder
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
Many of Laguna Beach’s players arrive from a feeder, youth program and learn from a coaching staff loaded with experience.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 28 Oct. 2025
In addition to reflecting a huge range of animal sizes, the dataset also represented sharks that fill a variety of ecological niches, from reef dwellers to bottom feeders to open-ocean predators.
—Quanta Magazine, 27 Oct. 2025
Both are using social media platforms as distribution channels as well as feeder systems.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 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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