fodder

[fod-er]

noun

1. coarse food for livestock, composed of entire plants, including leaves, stalks, and grain, of such forages as corn and sorghum.

2. people considered as readily available and of little value.

   cannon fodder.

3. raw material.

   fodder for a comedian's routine.

verb (used with object)

1. to feed with or as if with fodder.

fodder

/ ˈfɒdə /

noun

1. bulk feed for livestock, esp hay, straw, etc

2. raw experience or material

   fodder for the imagination

verb

1. (tr) to supply (livestock) with fodder

Word History and Origins

Origin of fodder¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English fodder, fōdor; cognate with German Futter; akin to food

Word History and Origins

Origin of fodder¹

Old English fōdor ; related to Old Norse fōthr , Old High German fuotar ; see _food , _forage

Synonym Study

See feed.

Example Sentences

Was scheduling cannon fodder such as Missouri State a necessary step to reach the College Football Playoff or a cynical effort to conceal USC’s mediocrity?

From Los Angeles Times

The gag drew laughs, but it also underscored how quickly Adams’ headaches are becoming fodder for rivals.

From Salon

This suggests the cow either moved seasonally or that winter fodder was imported, they said.

From BBC

Much of Liao’s group chat fodder has involved the output of Newsom’s digital team, which has elevated trolling to an art form on its official @GovPressOffice account on the social media site X.

From Los Angeles Times

The WFP said severe food shortages had drastically driven up prices for scarce supplies in el-Fasher, and cited reports that people were eating animal fodder and food waste to try to survive.

From BBC

Related Words

• barley 
• corn 
• food 
• forage 
• grain 
• hay