consumer

noun

con·​sum·​er kən-ˈsü-mər 

often attributive

: one that consumes: such as

a

: one that utilizes economic goods

Many consumers make purchases on the Internet.

b

: an organism requiring complex organic compounds for food which it obtains by preying on other organisms or by eating particles of organic matter compare producer sense 3

consumership

kən-ˈsü-mər-ˌship 

noun

Examples of consumer in a Sentence

Many consumers are still not comfortable making purchases on the Internet.

Recent Examples on the Web

Half the workforce and half the consumer base are over 50, and the other half is under 50. —Dan Pontefract, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025

Canada's trade minister, Mary Ng addressed the issue during an interview with Bloomberg TV, emphasizing that tariffs would be harmful to American consumers. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025

Files include new device submissions, marketing applications and other materials medical device companies need approved before bringing products to consumers. —Michael Erman, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025

But teasing out just how much of an impact climate change has had on production and consumer prices remains largely unchartered by scientists and economists. —Ayurella Horn-Muller, WIRED, 22 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see consume

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing consumer

• anti-consumer
• consumer confidence
• consumer credit
• consumer debt
• consumer durables
• consumer goods
• consumer price index

Rhymes for consumer

• perfumer
• antitumor
• pseudotumor
• boomer
• humor
• humour
• plumer
• rumor
• rumour
• tumor
• tumour

Kids Definition

consumer

noun

con·​sum·​er kən-ˈsü-mər 

1

: one that consumes

especially : a person who buys and uses up goods

2

: a plant or animal that requires complex organic compounds for food which it obtains by preying on other living things or eating particles of organic matter compare producer sense 3

Legal Definition

consumer

noun

con·​sum·​er

: one that utilizes economic goods

specifically : an individual who purchases goods for personal use as distinguished from commercial use