fodder

noun

fod·​der ˈfä-dər How to pronounce fodder (audio)
Synonyms of fodder
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.
Whatever the verdict, the Massachusetts mother’s story will almost certainly become entertainment fodder soon enough. — Addie Morfoot, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026 That might also explain the movie’s attempts to supercharge its few action sequences, as if the filmmakers realized belatedly that a sad book without much incident wasn’t exactly prime summer studio release fodder. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026 During most preseasons, updates on freshman talent would be fodder for breathless headlines. — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 William Gottlieb’s suit also notes that Urban Zen hosts catered gatherings that generate food garbage, therefore creating fodder for the rats. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 25 Aug. 2026 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

Phrases Containing fodder

Rhymes for fodder

See All Rhymes for fodder

Browse Nearby Words

FOD
fodder
fodder beet
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fodder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fodder. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fodder

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

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fodder

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