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

That meant shelling out for an automatic wet feeder since we’re both at work during the day.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 5, 2026

"That's the exact opposite of it becoming a feeder pathway program."

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 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 one with the chubby cheeks. He was snitching sunflower seeds out of a bird feeder even though he wasn't a bird."

From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein

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

That lively string of bird feeders beside the nursing home seemed quietly heroic, like a line of lanterns burning brightly against the dusk.

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

From her seat at the table, she could reflect on her roses and bird feeders through the picture window the company carpenters had installed for her.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

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Related Words

• grower
• laborer
• peasant
• producer
• rancher

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