Definition

1. Noun:
   • An animal that feeds on a particular source of food: A creature whose diet consists primarily of a specific type of food.
   • A device that supplies food: An apparatus, often placed outdoors, designed to provide food for animals, especially wild birds.
   • A machine part that supplies material: A component of a machine that automatically provides or delivers a supply of raw material or components for processing.
   • A tributary stream: A smaller branch of a river or stream that flows into and supplies a larger main stream.
   • A person or animal that consumes food: Someone or something that eats for nourishment.
   • An animal being fattened: A livestock animal that is being raised and fed specifically to increase its weight for market.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The hummingbird is a nectar feeder. (The hummingbird is an animal that feeds on nectar.)
  • We hung a new bird feeder in the garden. (We hung a new device for supplying food to birds in the garden.)
  • The paper jam was in the document feeder of the printer. (The paper jam was in the machine part that supplies paper to the printer.)
  • This creek is a major feeder for the Columbia River. (This creek is a significant tributary stream for the Columbia River.)
  • He's a light feeder, preferring small meals. (He is a person who consumes small amounts of food.)
  • The farmer bought several young steers to use as feeders. (The farmer bought several young steers to be animals for fattening.)

Advanced Usage

• "feeder school": A school whose students typically progress to a specific larger or more advanced school.
  • The elementary school is a feeder for the prestigious high school.
• "feeder line": In transportation or utilities, a secondary route or cable that connects to a main network.
  • The new bus route acts as a feeder line to the central subway station.

Variants and Related Words

• Feed (verb/noun): To give food to; or the food itself.
  • You must feed the cat. / The chicken feed is in the barn.
• Feeding (noun): The act of giving or taking food.
  • The feeding of the ducks is prohibited.

Synonyms

• Tributary (for a stream): A river or stream flowing into a larger river or lake.
• Diner (for a person who eats): A person eating a meal, especially in a restaurant.
• Hopper (for a machine part): A container for loose material that can be discharged gradually.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Feeder" is primarily a noun. The related verb "feed" forms phrasal verbs.) - Feed into: To flow into or contribute to a larger system. - Several small streams feed into this reservoir. - Feed off/on: To eat something as food; or to gain strength from something. - The bats feed on insects. / The rumor fed off public anxiety.

Related Idioms

• Feeder of information: A person or system that provides information to another.
  • He was a key feeder of information to the press.
• At the feeder: Literally, an animal using a feeder device.
  • We saw a cardinal at the feeder this morning.

Noun

1. an animal that feeds on a particular source of food
   • a bark feeder
   • a mud feeder
2. an outdoor device that supplies food for wild birds
3. a machine that automatically provides a supply of some material
   • the feeder discharged feed into a trough for the livestock
4. a branch that flows into the main stream
5. someone who consumes food for nourishment
6. an animal being fattened or suitable for fattening