feeder
n. countablen. a container or device that holds food for animals, like birds or pets. It can also describe a smaller thing that supplies a larger system, such as a minor road or a sports team.
n. a device or container that supplies food to animals; also refers to a person, animal, or thing that supplies something to a larger system. Often used in technical contexts to describe a branch line, road, or channel that feeds into a main network.
I filled the bird feeder with seeds this morning.
The local bus acts as a feeder for the main train station, bringing commuters from the suburbs.
The minor league team serves as a feeder for the national squad, ensuring that young talent is systematically developed and evaluated before reaching the professional level.
From Middle English feedere, federe, fedare, equivalent to feed + -er.
Commonly used in compound nouns like 'bird feeder' or 'feeder road'.