1. A machine that automatically provides a supply of some material
   "the feeder discharged feed into a trough for the livestock";
   - self-feeder
    
2. An outdoor device that supplies food for wild birds
   "She hung a bird feeder in her garden to attract a variety of local birds";
   - bird feeder, birdfeeder, bird table
    
3. A branch that flows into the main stream
   "The Missouri River is a major feeder of the Mississippi";
   - tributary, confluent, affluent
    
4. Someone who consumes food for nourishment
   "He's a picky feeder and rarely tries new foods";
   - eater
    
5. An animal being fattened or suitable for fattening
   "The farmer bought several feeders to raise for market"
    
6. An animal that feeds on a particular source of food
   "a bark feeder"; "a mud feeder"
    
7. Something that supplies or channels resources to a larger or main system
   "That high school is a feeder for Harvard"; "The feeder road connects the village to the highway"

Derived forms: feeders

Type of: animal, animate being, branch, consumer, device, domestic animal, domesticated animal, machine

Encyclopedia: Feeder