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

Plus, PinkPantheress served a matchy-matchy boho hair moment plus transition blush gave us plenty of fodder for fall beauty inspiration. — Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 27 Sep. 2026

Just as likely to draw attention are their style choices, which are closely observed in fashion circles and are frequent fodder for social media. — ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026

That first week, Nevermind was surrounded by quintessential 1991 chart fodder by the Judds, Phil Collins, Ziggy Marley, Sting, and the Pretty Woman soundtrack. — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2026

Some of its members have advocated for open borders, and believe gender is a social construct, both of which have been fodder for inflammatory social media content from those seeking to discredit the philosophy. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026

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