consumer

[ kuh n-soo-mer ]
/ kənˈsu mər /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR consumer ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person or thing that consumes.
Economics. a person or organization that uses a commodity or service.
Ecology. an organism, usually an animal, that feeds on plants or other animals.

Origin of consumer

1375–1425 for earlier sense “squanderer,” 1525–35 for current senses; Middle English; see consume, -er1

OTHER WORDS FROM consumer

con·sum·er·ship, noun an·ti·con·sum·er, noun, adjective non·con·sum·er, adjective, noun pre·con·sum·er, noun

Words nearby consumer

consulting staff, consultor, consumable, consume, consumedly, consumer, consumer advocate, consumer credit, consumer durable, consumer goods, consumer packaged goods

Words related to consumer

customer, buyer, user, shopper, purchaser, enjoyer

Example sentences from the Web for consumer

British Dictionary definitions for consumer

consumer
/ (kənˈsjuːmə) /

noun

a person who acquires goods and services for his or her own personal needs Compare producer (def. 6)
a person or thing that consumes
(usually plural) ecology an organism, esp an animal, within a community that feeds upon plants or other animals See also decomposer, producer (def. 8)

Scientific definitions for consumer

consumer
[ kən-sōō′mər ]

A heterotrophic organism that feeds on other organisms in a food chain.♦ Herbivores that feed on green plants and detritivores that feed on decaying matter are called primary consumers. Carnivores that feed on herbivores or detritivores are called secondary consumers, while those that feed on other carnivores are called tertiary consumers. Compare producer.

Cultural definitions for consumer

consumer

Someone who purchases a good for personal use.