fodder

noun

fod·​der ˈfä-dər How to pronounce fodder (audio)
Synonyms of foddernext
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
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.
But that’s college basketball clickbait, fodder, BS right now. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026 Since then the couple, always united, have avoided becoming tabloid fodder. Roberta Mercuri, Vanity Fair, 11 Mar. 2026 Moore addressed the situation in a post on social media, again asserting political fodder. Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026 Red clover — Another non-native, but useful as a cover crop and fodder for livestock. Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 7 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fodder

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of fodder was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fodder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fodder. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

fodder

noun
fod·​der ˈfäd-ər How to pronounce fodder (audio)
: coarse dry food (as cornstalks) for livestock

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