Feed
/fiːd/
Definitions
4 meaningsTo supply with food; to nourish.
/fiːd/
To give food to.
I feed my dog twice a day.
💡 Simply: Imagine your pet hamster is super hungry. When you give him sunflower seeds, you're *feeding* him! Think of it as giving someone or something yummy or necessary fuel.
👶 For kids: Giving food to someone or something so they can eat.
More Examples
The mother bird feeds her chicks worms.
He forgot to feed the cat before leaving for work.
How It's Used
"The farmer feeds the chickens every morning."
"She feeds her baby formula."
To supply or provide something regularly to (a person or thing).
/fiːd/
To supply or provide something regularly.
The news channel feeds viewers with the latest updates.
💡 Simply: Imagine your phone's news app: It *feeds* you with the latest articles! It's all about giving a regular stream of something. It's like a non-stop supply!
👶 For kids: To give a flow of things like information or pictures to someone.
More Examples
The company feeds the database with customer information.
My social media feed is full of cat videos.
How It's Used
"The website feeds information to its users through a news feed."
"The algorithm feeds you content based on your interests."
Food for animals.
/fiːd/
The farmers stored the feed in the barn.
💡 Simply: The stuff you give animals to eat. Like the hay your horse enjoys. It's the food for creatures!
👶 For kids: Food for animals like cows or horses.
More Examples
The horses were happy with their fresh hay feed.
How It's Used
"The cattle were given a new type of feed this season."
A regularly updated stream of content, such as on a social media website.
/fiːd/
A supply of information.
I scroll through my social media feed every morning.
💡 Simply: Like the endless stream of posts on your social media. It's a *feed* of information!
👶 For kids: A stream of things like pictures and messages, like on your phone.
More Examples
The website's news feed provides real-time updates.
How It's Used
"Check your news feed to see what's happening."
Idioms & expressions
feed the ducks
To supply food to ducks, often in a public park or pond.
"The children enjoy feeding the ducks at the park."
feed someone a line
To deceive someone with false information.
"I think he's just feeding you a line."
feed the habit
To support or provide the means for a harmful habit, such as addiction.
"He spends all his money to feed the habit."
From Old English *fēdan*, from Proto-Germanic *fōdijaną*, from Proto-Indo-European *peh₂- (“to feed, protect”).
The word 'feed' has been used since Old English times, mainly referring to giving food to animals or people. Its use has expanded to include providing information or data.
Memory tip
Think of the action of giving someone or something food.
Word Origin
"to provide nourishment"