consumer
Americannoun
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a person or thing that consumes.
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Economics. a person or organization that uses a commodity or service.
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Ecology. an organism, usually an animal, that feeds on plants or other animals.
noun
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a person who acquires goods and services for his or her own personal needs Compare producer
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a person or thing that consumes
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(usually plural) ecology an organism, esp an animal, within a community that feeds upon plants or other animals See also decomposer producer
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A heterotrophic organism that feeds on other organisms in a food chain.
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◆ Herbivores that feed on green plants and detritivores that feed on decaying matter are called primary consumers. Carnivores that feed on herbivores or detritivores are called secondary consumers, while those that feed on other carnivores are called tertiary consumers.
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Compare producer
Other Word Forms
- anticonsumer noun
- consumership noun
- nonconsumer adjective
- preconsumer noun
Etymology
Origin of consumer
First recorded in 1375–1425, for the earlier sense “squanderer,” 1525–35 for the current sense; Middle English; consume + -er 1
Compare meaning
How does consumer compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
At stake is not just WhatsApp's policy, but broader questions over privacy rights, consumer choice and regulation of dominant online platforms.
From BBC
Thomas, an expert in fashion and consumer behaviour, said most brides in the study cared about the environment and liked the idea of greener choices, but sustainability rarely shaped their final decision.
From BBC
"They're so disgusted yet they are the main consumer and the real reason this economy exists is because of them and it still blows my mind a bit," Attwood adds.
From BBC
Treasuries will especially benefit if physical oil supply disruptions imply that a nonspeculative rise in prices will curb consumer demand.
From Barron's
Inflation has run above the central bank’s 2% target for nearly five years—and tariff-related costs are beginning to work their way to the consumer, increasing prices.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
