First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1feed
verb \ˈfēd\
: to give food to (someone or something)
: to give (something) as food to someone or something
: to produce or provide food for (someone or something)
fed \ˈfed\ feed·ing
Full Definition of FEED
transitive verb
1
a : to give food to b : to give as food
2
a : to furnish something essential to the development, sustenance, maintenance, or operation of <reading feeds the mind> b : to supply (material to be operated on) to a machine
3
: to produce or provide food for
5
6
: to supply (a fellow actor) with cues and situations that make a role more effective
7
: to pass a ball or puck to (a teammate) especially for a shot at the goal
intransitive verb
2
: to become nourished or satisfied or sustained as if by food
3
a : to become channeled or directed b : to move into a machine or opening in order to be used or processed
See feed defined for English-language learners
See feed defined for kids
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Origin of FEED
Middle English feden, from Old English fēdan; akin to Old English fōda food — more at food
Related to FEED
- Antonyms
- hold (back), keep (back), reserve, retain, withhold
2feed
noun
: food for animals
: a large meal
: a part of a machine or system that sends material or electricity to other parts
Full Definition of FEED
1
a : an act of eating b : meal; especially : a large meal
2
a : food for livestock; specifically : a mixture or preparation for feeding livestock b : the amount given at each feeding
3
a : material supplied (as to a furnace or machine) b : a mechanism by which the action of feeding is effected c : the motion or process of carrying forward the material to be operated upon (as in a machine) d : the act or process of feeding a signal (as an audio or video transmission); also : the signal being fed
4
: the action of passing a ball or puck to a team member who is in position to score
See feed defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of FEED
1576
FEEDING Defined for Kids
1feed
verb \ˈfēd\
fed \ˈfed\feed·ing
Definition of FEED for Kids
1
: to give food to or give as food <fed the dog> <She fed cereal to the baby.>
2
: to take food into the body : eat <cattle feeding on hay>
3
: to supply with something necessary (as to growth or operation) <It's important to feed plants with fertilizer.> <Two streams feed the lake.>
— feed·er noun
2feed
noun
Definition of FEED for Kids
: food especially for livestock
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