fodder

American  

[fod-er] / ˈfɒd ər /

noun

1. coarse food for livestock, composed of entire plants, including leaves, stalks, and grain, of such forages as corn and sorghum.

2. people considered as readily available and of little value.

   cannon fodder.

3. raw material.

   fodder for a comedian's routine.

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verb (used with object)

1. to feed with or as if with fodder.

fodder British  

/ ˈfɒdə /

noun

1. bulk feed for livestock, esp hay, straw, etc

2. raw experience or material

   fodder for the imagination

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verb

1. (tr) to supply (livestock) with fodder

Related Words

See feed.

Etymology

Origin of fodder

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English fodder, fōdor; cognate with German Futter; akin to food

Example Sentences

In other instances, though, it can become fodder for more conspiracies.

From Los Angeles Times

Those provided the fodder for nearly two dozen bills the following year, all written with the goal of making it easier to build things in California, especially homes.

From Los Angeles Times

The Justice Department’s release of its Jeffrey Epstein files has given some powerful people fresh fodder to embarrass their foes.

From The Wall Street Journal

The issue of big people and small airplane seats has long been tabloid fodder and red meat for message board posters.

From Los Angeles Times

The characters in movies like these are designed to be expendable fodder for the chills and thrills.

From Salon

Related Words

• barley
• corn
• food
• forage
• grain
• hay