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

The National Retail Federation warned that U.S. consumers could lose $46 billion to $78 billion in spending power each year if Trump imposes new tariffs. —Peter Green, Quartz, 9 Nov. 2024

Perhaps the only saving grace is that the announcement to the public was so delayed that many of those animals were actually eaten before consumers knew there was a problem and there were no reports of illness. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024

Washington state–where some wild salmon is sourced and with its proximity to Alaskan suppliers–has routinely tested as one of the most reliable fish markets for consumers, with relatively low rates of mislabeling, notes Delgado. —Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2024

The consumer financial services company reported strong Q3 earnings, with EPS of $1.94 beating estimates, and net revenue growth of 10%. —John Buckingham, Forbes, 5 Nov. 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