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

And if history continues to repeat itself, the Panthers will continue to look like first-half fodder to their opponents over the next several weeks. —Diamond Vences, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025

Their desperate efforts to hide from the cameras became instant fodder for social media memes and late-night jokes and, eventually, for a cheeky video response from Astronomer, starring Martin’s ex-wife, Gwyneth Paltrow. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025

In the midst of success, the famous parents have faced ridicule and been at the center of tabloid fodder. —Anna Halkidis, Parents, 9 Sep. 2025

These are deep, dark legacy stories that hold the greatest esteem in our culture, so there’s great fodder in it. —Selome Hailu, Variety, 9 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