feeder

[ fee-der ]

noun

1. a person or thing that supplies food or feeds something.
2. a bin or boxlike device from which farm animals may eat, especially such a device designed to allow a number of chickens to feed simultaneously or to release a specific amount of feed at regular intervals.
3. a person or thing that takes food or nourishment.
4. a livestock animal that is fed an enriched diet to fatten it for market. Compare stocker ( def 2 ).
5. a person or device that feeds a machine, printing press, etc.
6. a tributary stream.
7. bird feeder.
8. feeder line.
9. feeder road.
10. Also Electricity. a conductor, or group of conductors, connecting primary equipment in an electric power system.
11. British. a baby's bib.
12. Theater Slang. straight man.

adjective

1. being, functioning as, or serving as a feeder.
2. pertaining to livestock to be fattened for market.

feeder

/ ˈfiːdə /

noun

1. a person or thing that feeds or is fed
2. a child's feeding bottle or bib
3. agriculture a head of livestock being fattened for slaughter
4. a person or device that feeds the working material into a system or machine
5. a tributary channel, esp one that supplies a reservoir or canal with water
6. 1. a road, service, etc, that links secondary areas to the main traffic network
   2. ( as modifier )

      a feeder bus

7. 1. a transmission line connecting an aerial to a transmitter or receiver
   2. a power line for transmitting electrical power from a generating station to a distribution network

Word History and Origins

Origin of feeder¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; feed, -er ¹

Example Sentences

The mollusks are efficient filter feeders and can increase the clarity of water by consuming large quantities of plankton, which native fish and other creatures depend on.

From Los Angeles Times

The court also heard the bird feeders had been refilled and plant pots had been moved.

From BBC

But when feeder came calling, they ambled up to the side of the tank and turned their jets away.

From Los Angeles Times

This week’s field will be competing for £72,000 compared with £59,000 in 2023, the highest purse on the LET Access Series - the feeder circuit that leads to the LET.

From BBC

Can squirrels be kept from trashing L.A.’s backyard bird feeders and fruit trees?

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• grower
• laborer
• peasant
• producer
• rancher