often attributive
1
: one that feeds: such as
a
: one that fattens livestock for slaughter
b
: a device or apparatus for supplying food
2
: one that eats or takes nourishment
especially
: an animal being fattened or one suitable for fattening
3
a
: one that supplies, replenishes, or connects
c
: a heavy wire conductor supplying electricity at some point of an electric distribution system (as from a substation)
d
: branch
especially
: a branch transportation line
e
: a road that provides access to a major artery
Examples of feeder in a Sentence
a pigeon feeder holding a bag of stale bread
the lake has several feeders that have their headwaters near the Canadian border
Recent Examples on the Web
In the experiment, mosquitoes were given access to feeders containing A, B, AB and O blood.
—
Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 21 July 2025
The hooded orioles, those delightful and colorful visitors to our nectar feeders all summer, will be departing in about a month to winter homes in Mexico.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2025
Prices of feeder cattle, livestock that is purchased for fattening, were already at a record high, and Arizona feedlots braced for even higher purchase costs.
—Clara Migoya, AZCentral.com, 16 July 2025
The plant utilizes a conveyor belt that feeds waste material into the top of the gasifier through a sealed feed mechanism, commonly referred to as a Paul Wurth feeder.
—David Blekhman, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for feeder
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Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 21 July 2025
The hooded orioles, those delightful and colorful visitors to our nectar feeders all summer, will be departing in about a month to winter homes in Mexico.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2025
Prices of feeder cattle, livestock that is purchased for fattening, were already at a record high, and Arizona feedlots braced for even higher purchase costs.
—Clara Migoya, AZCentral.com, 16 July 2025
The plant utilizes a conveyor belt that feeds waste material into the top of the gasifier through a sealed feed mechanism, commonly referred to as a Paul Wurth feeder.
—David Blekhman, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for feeder
Cite this Entry
“Feeder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feeder. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
feeder
noun
feed·er
ˈfēd-ər 
1
: a device for supplying food
bird feeder
b
: a branch (as of a river or a transportation system) that supplies or connects to another
2
: one that eats
especially
: an animal being fattened or suitable for fattening
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