feeder

noun

feed·​er ˈfē-dər 

often attributive

1

: one that feeds: such as

a

: one that fattens livestock for slaughter

b

: a device or apparatus for supplying food

2

: one that eats or takes nourishment

especially : an animal being fattened or one suitable for fattening

3

a

: one that supplies, replenishes, or connects

b

: tributary sense 1

c

: a heavy wire conductor supplying electricity at some point of an electric distribution system (as from a substation)

d

: branch

especially : a branch transportation line

e

: a road that provides access to a major artery

Synonyms

• affluent
• bayou
• branch
• confluent
• influent
• tributary

Examples of feeder in a Sentence

a pigeon feeder holding a bag of stale bread

the lake has several feeders that have their headwaters near the Canadian border

Recent Examples on the Web

Participants can enjoy a flight of three tasters of wine while creating a hummingbird feeder from a wine bottle. —Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024

His stand was set up along a travel corridor roughly 40 yards away from a feeder. —Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 31 Oct. 2024

Thanksgiving is becoming a competition of the bottom (price) feeders. —Melvin Backman, Quartz, 29 Oct. 2024

Seeing hummingbirds delight at backyard feeders is one of the many joys of birders across the South, but making sure they are kept happy–and staying at your feeder–can be an overwhelming thought. —Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing feeder

• bird feeder
• bottom-feeder
• breast-feeder
• filter feeder
• self-feeder

Kids Definition

feeder

noun

feed·​er ˈfēd-ər 

1

: a device for supplying food

bird feeder

b

: a branch (as of a river or a transportation system) that supplies or connects to another

2

: one that eats

especially : an animal being fattened or suitable for fattening