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

Influencers have earned a central place in consumer culture not just by selling products, but by offering emotional proximity, cultural relevance and value. —Kelley Cours Anderson, The Conversation, 17 Nov. 2025

And what should producers and consumers of American media, which is already in deep disrepute, think about Wolff, our least reputable face? —Ben Smith, semafor.com, 17 Nov. 2025

Fast-food chains have been struggling to lift sales as lower-income consumers feel increasingly squeezed by rising food costs. —CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025

Wall Street will also get a look at the health of the consumer, with retail giants Walmart and Home Depot set to post their quarterly results. —Fred Imbert, CNBC, 16 Nov. 2025

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