consumer

[kuhn-soo-mer]

noun

1. a person or thing that consumes.

2. Economics.,  a person or organization that uses a commodity or service.

3. Ecology.,  an organism, usually an animal, that feeds on plants or other animals.

consumer

/ kənˈsjuːmə /

noun

1. a person who acquires goods and services for his or her own personal needs Compare producer

2. a person or thing that consumes

3. (usually plural) ecology an organism, esp an animal, within a community that feeds upon plants or other animals See also decomposer producer

consumer

1. A heterotrophic organism that feeds on other organisms in a food chain.

2. ◆ Herbivores that feed on green plants and detritivores that feed on decaying matter are called primary consumers. Carnivores that feed on herbivores or detritivores are called secondary consumers, while those that feed on other carnivores are called tertiary consumers.

3. Compare producer

consumer

1. Someone who purchases a good for personal use.

Other Word Forms

• consumership noun
• anticonsumer noun
• nonconsumer adjective
• preconsumer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of consumer¹

First recorded in 1375–1425, for the earlier sense “squanderer,” 1525–35 for the current sense; Middle English; consume + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Tesla investors and consumers were disappointed after the company unveiled its long-awaited, less expensive versions of the Model 3 and Model Y.

From Los Angeles Times

A consumer alert has been added to his profile informing the public that disciplinary actions are pending against him.

From Los Angeles Times

It added that the amount of money victims receive will depend on the degree of harm suffered by the consumer.

From BBC

The scheme would be free to access for consumers.

From BBC

Do you think that a deal that cut consumer prices for a company’s most popular products would really produce a stock market gain?

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• buyer 
• customer 
• purchaser www.thesaurus.com
• shopper 
• user