fodder

[ fod-er ]

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.

verb (used with object)

1. to feed with or as if with fodder.

fodder

/ ˈfɒdə /

noun

1. bulk feed for livestock, esp hay, straw, etc
2. raw experience or material

   fodder for the imagination

verb

1. tr to supply (livestock) with fodder

Word History and Origins

Origin of fodder¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of fodder¹

Old English fōdor ; related to Old Norse fōthr , Old High German fuotar ; see food , forage

Synonym Study

See feed.

Example Sentences

However, he says, they should not be presumed to be cannon fodder - adding such a characterisation is “Ukrainian bravado”.

From BBC

“I’m kind of used to my identity being cannon fodder,” Bennet says in a recent Zoom interview.

From Los Angeles Times

The actor was unfamiliar with the ‘Dune’ universe before taking the part of Tula Harkonnen in the prequel series, but history provided ample fodder for her character.

From Los Angeles Times

The Go8 has called the proposed laws "draconian", while others accused the government of "wilfully weakening" the economy and of using international students as "cannon fodder in a poll-driven battle over migration".

From BBC

Video of Spot strutting around the property has gone viral on TikTok - where reactions range from calling them cool and cute, to creepy - and become fodder for jokes on American late night television.

From BBC

Related Words

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