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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | fedan; related to food |
1
give food
[transitive]a) DF to give food to a person or animal : 
Have you fed the cat?
Have you fed the cat?b) DF to provide enough food for a group of people : groceries to feed a family of five The prison is required to feed and clothe the prisoners.
groceries to feed a family of fiveThe prison is required to feed and clothe the prisoners.2 to give a special substance to a plant, which helps it grow : Feed the tomatoes once a week.
plant
[transitive]HBPFeed the tomatoes once a week.3 if a baby or an animal feeds, they eat : Frogs generally feed at night. Let your baby feed as long as she wants.
animal/baby
[intransitive]HBFrogs generally feed at night.Let your baby feed as long as she wants.4 having plenty of food or not enough food : a well-dressed, well-fed woman
well-fed/under-fed/poorly-fed
DFa well-dressed, well-fed woman5TD to put information into a computer over a period of time
computer
[transitive always + adverb/preposition] feed something into something Figures are fed into the computer, which then predicts the likely profit.
Figures are fed into the computer, which then predicts the likely profit.6 to supply something, especially a liquid, gas, or electricity : The public baths are fed by natural springs.
supply something
[transitive]The public baths are fed by natural springs. feed something with something Laura crouched by the fire, feeding it with dry sticks.
Laura crouched by the fire, feeding it with dry sticks.7 to put something into something else, especially gradually and through a small hole
put something into something
[transitive] feed something into something She fed her last two coins into the machine for a cup of coffee.
She fed her last two coins into the machine for a cup of coffee.8 to increase the strength of an emotion, desire etc : Her depression grew, fed by her bitter experiences.
increase emotion
[transitive]Her depression grew, fed by her bitter experiences.9 to satisfy a strong need, such as a need for a drug : He committed both crimes to feed his addiction to heroin.
feed an addiction/need etc
He committed both crimes to feed his addiction to heroin.10 to give someone information or ideas over a period time
information
[transitive] feed somebody with something She feeds the media with stories, which is a way of getting free advertising.
She feeds the media with stories, which is a way of getting free advertising. feed something to somebody US intelligence had been feeding false information to a KGB agent.
US intelligence had been feeding false information to a KGB agent.11 to throw or hit a ball to someone else on your team, especially so that they can make a point
sport
[transitive] feed something to somebody He fed the ball to Jol, who scored.
He fed the ball to Jol, who scored.14 to send a television or radio programme somewhere so that it can be broadcast
tv/radio
[transitive]15 to tell someone something which is not true, so that they will do what you want
feed somebody a line
informal ➔ breast-feed, force-feed, spoon-feed
; ➔ mouth to feed
at mouth1 (10)feed back
phrasal verb feed something ↔ back (to somebody) I am grateful to all those who fed back their comments. They feed back to the government the reactions of the people affected.
I am grateful to all those who fed back their comments.They feed back to the government the reactions of the people affected.feed into something
phrasal verbThe influence of Italian designer fashion feeds into sports fashion.feed off something
phrasal verb1HBA if an animal feeds off something, it gets food from it : birds that feed off the seeds from trees
birds that feed off the seeds from trees2 to use something to increase, become stronger, or succeed - sometimes used to show disapproval : fad diets that feed off our desire to be thin
fad diets that feed off our desire to be thinfeed on something
phrasal verb1HBA if an animal feeds on a particular food, it usually eats that food : Owls feed on mice and other small animals.
Owls feed on mice and other small animals.2 if a feeling or process feeds on something, it becomes stronger because of it : Prejudice feeds on ignorance.
Prejudice feeds on ignorance.feed somebody up
phrasal verbDF to give someone a lot of food to make them more healthy [= fatten up American English]
