consumer

noun

con·​sum·​er kən-ˈsü-mər How to pronounce consumer (audio)
Synonyms of consumernext
often attributive
: one that consumes: such as
a
: one that utilizes economic goods
Many consumers shop online.
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 How to pronounce consumer (audio)
noun

Examples of consumer in a Sentence

Many consumers are still not comfortable making purchases on the Internet.
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.
Over the past few years, that space has become much more crowded, with brands from On Running to APL to Deckers Brands’ HOKA to New Balance managing to meet consumers’ changing tastes. — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026 The Federal Trade Commission has proposed an enforcement policy warning businesses that failing to disclose their use of personal data to set individualized prices could violate consumer protection law. — Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026 The idea that consumer companies are in the stuff business is still Amazon’s longest shadow. — Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026 Toon2Tango will combine the Mediawan Kids & Family portfolio with its own productions and selected IP from Leonine Studios to develop licensing opportunities and consumer products partnerships worldwide. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for consumer

Word History

Etymology

see consume

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of consumer was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing consumer

Rhymes for consumer

See All Rhymes for consumer

Browse Nearby Words

consumedly
consumer
consumer's surplus
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Consumer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consumer. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

consumer

noun
con·​sum·​er kən-ˈsü-mər How to pronounce consumer (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on consumer

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for consumer

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All