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

In the fifth year of Howe’s spell as head coach, Newcastle are transformed from relegation fodder into trophy-winners, from a footballing irrelevance into a team who have competed in the Champions League twice in three seasons, reaching the round of 16 for the first time in the current one. —George Caulkin, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026

And that might have been that, fodder for a few fun stories as Hole and Smashing Pumpkins’ fame grew. —Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026

Influencers are often regarded as a nuisance, fodder for dry wit and schadenfreude. —Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026

But that’s college basketball clickbait, fodder, BS right now. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 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