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

To be sure, Talarico, a seminarian and state lawmaker, has been trying to walk back some of his past comments that have given Paxton and others fodder. —Philip Elliott, Time, 2 June 2026

All of this is anchored by a strong performance from actor Patrick Gibson and a presentation that cares enough about the sights and sounds that make Bond and his world more than just generic video game fodder. —Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 1 June 2026

While Rihanna provides endless fodder for self-identifying maximalists, Hailey Bieber’s wardrobe is catnip for those with more subtle tastes. —Kelsey Stiegman, InStyle, 28 May 2026

The Syfy-channel TV show Channel Zero uses some of the best known of these fables as fodder for serialized storytelling. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 27 May 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