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

These partnerships, like ones with Vans and Solomons, sell out quickly and become fodder for social media, as well as breathless coverage at legacy publications, including Vogue and the New York Times. —Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 24 Mar. 2026

The slightest managerial misspeak might be internet fodder for days or weeks, so the Earl Weavers, Billy Martins, Lou Piniellas and Ozzie Guilléns of the world are gone, and generic-sounding managers who avoid speaking truthfully dominate the landscape. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026

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

Foreman also defended his right to use the raid footage as fodder for his work. —Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 19 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