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

The novel partnership between students and police to break open a decades-old murder case, with a love triangle at its center, was irresistible fodder for the media’s true-crime boom.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

Blessedly, these ballerinas didn’t learn their skills in prison or the foster system, and their tutus are not fodder for a satanic pyre.

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2026

They remember the shows that defined their childhood; that had them planted on couches for appointment viewing; that they binged when streaming came into the picture; that were fodder for water-cooler conversations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

Adding to the costs was the expensive fodder that farmers had to buy while their herds were unable to graze in the open fields.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

Even the garrons of the northmen were faltering for want of fodder.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

Related Words

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