consumer

noun

con·​sum·​er kən-ˈsü-mər How to pronounce consumer (audio)
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 noun

Examples of consumer in a Sentence

Many consumers are still not comfortable making purchases on the Internet.
Recent Examples on the Web Beagle Freedom Project also created a free app called Cruelty Cutter, which helps consumers scan products to see whether they have been tested on animals. Sydney Page, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024 The consumer electronics company on Tuesday reported a net profit in its fourth quarter of 4.73 billion yuan, or $657.1 million. Britney Nguyen, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024 The affordability issue Hearing Nasser—a petroleum engineering graduate from the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Dhahran—calling for affordability to be made a priority will be welcome news to consumers who are battling inflation, higher base rates and unpredictable energy costs. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2024 Budtenders wield considerable sway in shaping consumer perceptions and gravitate toward genuine connections over corporate strategies. Mario Naric, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2024 The separation comes after activist investor Nelson Peltz joined Unilever's board in 2022 to push for changes at the consumer product company. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2024 Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2024 Companies like Coca-Cola have been making more environmentally packaging as consumer awareness and demand for action has intensified in recent years. Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 19 Mar. 2024 Barry said factors at play include finding a balance between its staff and where consumers want to shop. Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 18 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'consumer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see consume

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of consumer was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near consumer

Cite this Entry

“Consumer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consumer. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

consumer

noun
con·​sum·​er kən-ˈsü-mər How to pronounce consumer (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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