fodder

noun

fod·​der ˈfä-dər How to pronounce fodder (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Derick recalled how some of their earliest days as a couple came with conditions about becoming fodder for TV. Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024 This kind of problem is common fodder for conspiracy theories and fuels distrust in the process. Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 5 Nov. 2024 In their own words Although science is not campaign fodder, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have made comments that hint at their thoughts about how science works. Byjeffrey Mervis, science.org, 16 Oct. 2024 And then there's a difference between putting someone like him potentially in charge of all public health agencies, as well as women's health which is giving a lot of fodder for Vice President Kamala Harris and for Democrats to seize and pounce on this. ABC News, 3 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fodder 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of fodder was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near fodder

Cite this Entry

“Fodder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fodder. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

fodder

noun
fod·​der ˈfäd-ər How to pronounce fodder (audio)
: coarse dry food (as cornstalks) for livestock
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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