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

For most consumers, this butter recall isn’t cause for alarm. —Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025

So as Lululemon and Alo continue to make inroads among female consumers, the other brands are not handing the business over without a fight. —Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025

Zhang emphasized that while alternative suppliers could be found, the transition would take time and likely result in higher costs for U.S. consumers. —Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025

For consumers with questions about the recall, Trophy Nut Company also operates a customer service line at 1-800-729-6887. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for consumer

• perfumer
• antitumor
• pseudotumor
• boomer
• humor
• humour
• plumer
• rumor
• rumour
• tumor
• tumour

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