pander

UK: /ˈpændə^r/ US: /ˈpændɚ/ ,(pan′dər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

pan•der /ˈpændɚ/   n. 

[countable] Also, ˈpan•der•er. 
1. one who finds clients for a prostitute;
   pimp;
   procurer.
2. one who appeals to or profits from the weaknesses of others.

v. 

3. pander to, [~ + to + object] to provide or furnish (a person or people) with something that satisfies their low desires or that appeals to their prejudices or fears:
   Those newspapers pander to the public's lowest desires: greed and sex.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

pan•der  (pan′dər), n. 

Also, pan′der•er. 
1. a person who furnishes clients for a prostitute or supplies persons for illicit sexual intercourse;
   procurer;
   pimp.
2. a person who caters to or profits from the weaknesses or vices of others.
3. a go-between in amorous intrigues.

v.i. 

4. to act as a pander;
   cater basely:
   to pander to the vile tastes of vulgar persons.

v.t. 

5. to act as a pander for.

• earlier pandar(e), generalized use of Middle English name Pandare Pandarus 1325–75

pan′der•age, n. 
pan′der•ing•ly, adv. 
pan′der•ism, n. 
pan′der•ly, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

pander, pandar / ˈpændə/ verb

1. (intransitive) followed by to: to give gratification (to weaknesses or desires)
2. (archaic when tr) to act as a go-between in a sexual intrigue (for)

noun
also: panderer

1. a person who caters for vulgar desires, esp in order to make money
2. a person who procures a sexual partner for another; pimp

Etymology: 16th Century (n): from Pandare Pandarus