fodder

noun

fod·​der ˈfä-dər 

1

: something fed to domestic animals

especially : coarse food for cattle, horses, or sheep

2

: inferior or readily available material used to supply a heavy demand

fodder for tabloids

This sort of breezy plot line has become cheap fodder for novelists and screenwriters …

—Sally Bedell

fodder transitive verb

Examples of fodder in a Sentence

His antics always make good fodder for the gossip columnists.

She often used her friends' problems as fodder for her novels.

Recent Examples on the Web

But as Kennedy assumes control of America’s health agencies, these ideas will transition from being fodder for Instagram influencers to the public policy of the United States. —Keren Landman, Vox, 10 Dec. 2024

Despite its relative scarcity on streaming services — episodes are available for purchase but not included in any subscriptions — it’s become a fruitful source of TikTok fodder. —Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Dec. 2024

President Biden’s Sunday move to pardon his son Hunter weeks before he was set to be sentenced for his federal convictions served as Jon Stewart’s comedy fodder this week. —Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024

His personal life also provides plenty of fodder for the curious: Mondrian had a series of liaisons with women, and probably men as well, but lived alone in an ascetic studio. —Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 23 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English fōdor; akin to Old High German fuotar food — more at food

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fodder

• cannon fodder

Kids Definition

fodder

noun

fod·​der ˈfäd-ər 

: coarse dry food (as cornstalks) for livestock