consumer — English Dictionary

Noun

1. One who, or that which, consumes.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   But through the oligopoly, charcoal fuel proliferated throughout London's trades and industries. By the 1200s, brewers and bakers, tilemakers, glassblowers, pottery producers, and a range of other craftsmen all became hour-to-hour consumers of charcoal.

2. Someone who trades money for goods or services as an individual.

   Antonyms

   producer

   Examples

   This new system favours the consumer over the producer.

   Almost two-thirds of American consumers have at least one unspent gift card tucked away in a drawer, pocket, wallet or purse.

   More examples (1)

   A second estimate of gross domestic product, released Thursday, showed that consumer spending was weaker in the first three months of the year than initially reported.

3. The consumer base of a product, service or business.

   Usage

   • broadly

   Examples

   Our consumers are upwardly mobile and middle-class.

4. An organism (heterotroph) that uses other organisms for food in order to gain energy.

   Antonyms

   producer

Noun

1. a person who uses goods or services

   Broader terms

   user