A heterotrophic organism that feeds on other organisms in a food chain. Herbivores that feed on green plants and detritivores that feed on decaying matter are called p 2b0 rimary consumers. Carnivores that feed on herbivores or detritivores are called secondary consumers, while those that feed on other carnivores are called tertiary consumers. Compare producer.

–noun

1.	an account or statement describing in detail an event, situation, or the like, usually as the result of observation, inquiry, etc.: a report on the peace conference; a medical report on the patient.

2.	a statement or announcement.

3.	a widely circulated statement or item of news; rumor; gossip.

4.	an account of a speech, debate, meeting, etc., esp. as taken down for publication.

5.	a loud noise, as from an explosion: the report of a distant cannon.

6.	a statement of a student's grades, level of achievement, or academic standing for or during a prescribed period of time.

7.	Computers. output, esp. printed, containing organized information.

8.	a statement of a judicial opinion or decision, or of a case argued and determined in a court of justice.

9.	reports, Law. a collection of adjudications.

10.	repute; reputation; fame: a man of bad report.

–verb (used with object)

11.	to carry and repeat, as an answer or message; repeat, as what one has heard.

12.	to relate, as what has been learned by observation or investigation.

13.	to give or render a formal account or statement of: to report a deficit.

14.	to send back (a bill, amendment, etc.) to a legislative body with a formal report outlining findings and recommendations (often fol. by out): The committee reported out the bill.

15.	to make a charge against (a person), as to a superior: I intend to report him to the dean for cheating.

16.	to make known the presence, condition, or whereabouts of: to report a ship missing.

17.	to present (oneself) to a person in authority, as in accordance with requirements.

18.	to take down (a speech, lecture, etc.) in writing.

19.	to write an account of (an event, situation, etc.), as for publication in a newspaper.

20.	to rel d46 ate or tell.

–verb (used without object)

21.	to prepare, make, or submit a report of something observed, investigated, or the like.

22.	to serve or work as a reporter, as for a newspaper.

23.	to make one's condition or whereabouts known, as to a person in authority: to report sick.

24.	to present oneself duly, as at a place: to report to Room 101.

—Idiom

25.	on report, Military. (of personnel) under restriction pending disciplinary action.