fodder

noun

fod·​der ˈfä-dər 

1

: something fed to domestic animals

especially : coarse food for cattle, horses, or sheep

2

: inferior or readily available material used to supply a heavy demand

fodder for tabloids

This sort of breezy plot line has become cheap fodder for novelists and screenwriters …

—Sally Bedell

fodder transitive verb

Examples of fodder in a Sentence

His antics always make good fodder for the gossip columnists.

She often used her friends' problems as fodder for her novels.

Recent Examples on the Web

Lazarus is comfortable knowing that his sardonic smack-talking can only give Belichick, and the team, more motivational fodder for next season. —Sean Gregory, Time, 3 Sep. 2025

With a few exceptions, this cast is rife with petty grudges and trivial scandals that make for perfect competition-show fodder. —Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 3 Sep. 2025

Several other Biden aides testified behind closed doors over recess, providing more fodder for Republicans. —Lauren Peller, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2025

New Orleans feels like schedule fodder that could lead to a couple of quality wins this season for each of the other three teams in the division. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English fōdor; akin to Old High German fuotar food — more at food

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fodder

• cannon fodder

Rhymes for fodder

• broader
• dodder
• odder
• solder
• marauder

Kids Definition

fodder

noun

fod·​der ˈfäd-ər 

: coarse dry food (as cornstalks) for livestock