consumer

noun

con·​sum·​er kən-ˈsü-mər 

often attributive

: one that consumes: such as

a

: one that utilizes economic goods

Many consumers make purchases on the Internet.

b

: an organism requiring complex organic compounds for food which it obtains by preying on other organisms or by eating particles of organic matter compare producer sense 3

consumership

kən-ˈsü-mər-ˌship 

noun

Examples of consumer in a Sentence

Many consumers are still not comfortable making purchases on the Internet.

Recent Examples on the Web

While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. —Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 18 Dec. 2024

Chinese car manufacturers, including Geely, have rushed to sell petrol cars to Russian consumers to replace Western automakers that left after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. —Nicholas Gordon, Fortune Asia, 18 Dec. 2024

Thankfully, there are a number of excellent consumer education resources available to aid in anyone’s Texas wine journey. —Colleen C. Myles, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

Trump says federal workers who don't want to return to the office will be fired Ash-har Quraishi Ash-har Quraishi is a consumer correspondent based in Chicago. —Ash-Har Quraishi, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see consume

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing consumer

• anti-consumer
• consumer confidence
• consumer credit
• consumer debt
• consumer durables
• consumer goods
• consumer price index

Kids Definition

consumer

noun

con·​sum·​er kən-ˈsü-mər 

1

: one that consumes

especially : a person who buys and uses up goods

2

: a plant or animal that requires complex organic compounds for food which it obtains by preying on other living things or eating particles of organic matter compare producer sense 3

Legal Definition

consumer

noun

con·​sum·​er

: one that utilizes economic goods

specifically : an individual who purchases goods for personal use as distinguished from commercial use