consumer

[kuhn-soo-mer]

noun

1. a person or thing that consumes.

2. Economics.,  a person or organization that uses a commodity or service.

3. Ecology.,  an organism, usually an animal, that feeds on plants or other animals.

consumer

/ kənˈsjuːmə /

noun

1. a person who acquires goods and services for his or her own personal needs Compare producer

2. a person or thing that consumes

3. (usually plural) ecology an organism, esp an animal, within a community that feeds upon plants or other animals See also decomposer producer

consumer

1. A heterotrophic organism that feeds on other organisms in a food chain.

2. ◆ 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.

3. Compare producer

consumer

1. Someone who purchases a good for personal use.

Other Word Forms

• consumership noun
• anticonsumer noun
• nonconsumer adjective
• preconsumer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of consumer¹

First recorded in 1375–1425, for the earlier sense “squanderer,” 1525–35 for the current sense; Middle English; consume + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Independent analysis by a trusted consumer advocacy group has found that several of Australia's most popular, and expensive, sunscreens are not providing the protection they claim to, kicking off a national scandal.

From BBC

Competitors and publishers faced higher costs and reduced revenues as a result, it said, claiming these may have been passed to consumers in the form of more expensive services.

From BBC

The company's administrators said retailers were facing "challenging times" with rising costs and fierce competition for consumer spending.

From BBC

"If we allow the Fed to become a political football, every American consumer, every American worker and every American business will pay a long term price," she said.

From BBC

The attack occurred at what is traditionally a popular time for consumers to take delivery of a new vehicle.

From BBC

Related Words

• buyer 
• customer 
• purchaser www.thesaurus.com
• shopper 
• user