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

Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? —Sarah Han, Allure, 15 Mar. 2026

Overall sentiment only declined slightly in March, according to the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment, but the survey was only half completed when the attack was launched on Iran. —Arkansas Online, 14 Mar. 2026

The national-security agencies do not use Claude in the form of a consumer chatbot; Secretary of War Pete Hegseth does not open the Claude app to ask what’s up with the whole Taiwan thing. —Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026

Mark Mathews, chief economist and executive director of research at the National Retail Federation, said higher gas prices would likely affect consumer spending, particularly lower-income shoppers. —Cathy Bussewitz, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 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