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

The Senate is expected to vote on legislation this week meant to protect consumers from high electricity costs caused in part by the data center building boom. — Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026

Sarandos was a voracious consumer of movies and television, a passion that stretched back to his days working at home-video stores. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026

Available now direct-to-consumer, the hair care line opens with two innovations, a Rebound Cream, $20, and a Grip Powder, $20. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026

Muse now can help consumers identify and cancel recurring subscriptions. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 28 Sep. 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