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

Becerra’s connection to Williamson has been a source of fodder for his opponents in the race. —Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2026

Already, testimony about Altman's turbulent tenure at the ChatGPT maker has become prime fodder for internet jokes. —ABC News, 12 May 2026

Already, testimony about Altman’s turbulent tenure at the ChatGPT maker has become prime fodder for internet jokes. —Barbara Ortutay, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026

Since the start of the trial, testimony about Altman's turbulent tenure at OpenAI has become prime fodder for internet jokes. —CBS News, 12 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