feeder

American  

[fee-der] / ˈfi dər /

noun

• feeders
  plural

1. a person or thing that supplies food or feeds something.

2. a bin or boxlike device from which farm animals may eat, especially such a device designed to allow a number of chickens to feed simultaneously or to release a specific amount of feed at regular intervals.

3. a person or thing that takes food or nourishment.

4. a livestock animal that is fed an enriched diet to fatten it for market.

5. a person or device that feeds a machine, printing press, etc.

6. a tributary stream.

7. bird feeder.

8. feeder line.

9. feeder road.

10. Electricity. Also a conductor, or group of conductors, connecting primary equipment in an electric power system.

11. British. a baby's bib.

12. Theater Slang. straight man.

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adjective

1. being, functioning as, or serving as a feeder.

2. pertaining to livestock to be fattened for market.

feeder British  

/ ˈfiːdə /

noun

1. a person or thing that feeds or is fed

2. a child's feeding bottle or bib

3. agriculture a head of livestock being fattened for slaughter

4. a person or device that feeds the working material into a system or machine

5. a tributary channel, esp one that supplies a reservoir or canal with water

6. 1. a road, service, etc, that links secondary areas to the main traffic network

   2. ( as modifier )

      a feeder bus

7. 1. a transmission line connecting an aerial to a transmitter or receiver

   2. a power line for transmitting electrical power from a generating station to a distribution network

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• feeders
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of feeder

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at feed, -er ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

feeder feeders

"Some of the dogs run directly to the feeder expecting rewards, some dogs freeze, some dogs will scratch the sample with excitement," Bitan said.

From Barron's ● Sep. 7, 2026

My worry for Fulham is they have become a Real Madrid feeder team, and their boss Alvaro Arbeloa has already got issues with his squad.

From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026

My first idea was to put a bird feeder outside her window.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026

On Monday, the September contract for feeder cattle FCU26 — those that are fattened up for slaughter — fell 2.8% to end at $3.32 per pound in Chicago.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026

The ones too young and too small to bring a decent price were going to an auction for feeder pigs.

From "Among the Hidden" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Our previous research found most birds that visit feeders obtain most of their nutrition from natural sources, such as insects and worms.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 24, 2026

Up and down the tiny alley between the bushes and the building, an assortment of other bird feeders stood near the neighboring windows.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026

This includes things such as unsecured garbage cans, fallen fruit, bird feeders, pet food left outside and uncleaned grills.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 6, 2026

“International sales complement the domestic market, maximizing the value of every animal and providing incentive for ranchers and cattle feeders to expand their operations,” the U.S.

From Barron's ● May 12, 2026

“I need you to refill feeders six and seven.”

From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein

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Related Words

• grower
• laborer
• peasant
• producer
• rancher

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