consumer

noun

con·​sum·​er kən-ˈsü-mər 

often attributive

: one that consumes: such as

a

: one that utilizes economic goods

Many consumers shop online.

b

: an organism requiring complex organic compounds for food which it obtains by preying on other organisms or by eating particles of organic matter compare producer sense 3

consumership

kən-ˈsü-mər-ˌship 

noun

Examples of consumer in a Sentence

Many consumers are still not comfortable making purchases on the Internet.

Recent Examples on the Web

Preventing the nation's coal plants from retiring over the next three years could cost consumers at least $3 billion per year, according to a report from Grid Strategies, a consulting firm. —Matthew Daly, Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026

Global flavors are booming, too, with consumers embracing options like Korean barbecue, Thai curry and sriracha blends. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 8 Feb. 2026

Chinese companies are also far more focused on using AI for consumer-facing applications , even as Beijing pushes for local AI chip and infrastructure development. —Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2026

Under the direction of Shane Strum, interim CEO of South Broward’s Memorial Healthcare System and CEO of Broward Health in the county’s north region, the districts promised better health care access, more consumer choice and shorter waits for appointments. —Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see consume

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing consumer

• anti-consumer
• consumer confidence
• consumer credit
• consumer debt
• consumer durables
• consumer goods
• consumer price index

Rhymes for consumer

• perfumer
• antitumor
• pseudotumor
• boomer
• humor
• humour
• plumer
• rumor
• rumour
• tumor
• tumour

Kids Definition

consumer

noun

con·​sum·​er kən-ˈsü-mər 

1

: one that consumes

especially : a person who buys and uses up goods

2

: a plant or animal that requires complex organic compounds for food which it obtains by preying on other living things or eating particles of organic matter compare producer sense 3

Legal Definition

consumer

noun

con·​sum·​er

: one that utilizes economic goods

specifically : an individual who purchases goods for personal use as distinguished from commercial use