feed
/fiːd/to give food to a person or animal. It can also mean to let a machine or process take in material or data.
- Please feed the dog before dinner.
- The machine feeds paper automatically.
a supply of news, posts, or updates shown on a screen. It can also mean food given to animals.
- I checked my social media feed.
- Farmers brought feed for the cattle.
Adinary Nuance
Feed is broader and more direct than 'nourish' or 'nurture'. It usually means giving food or input in a practical way, not caring for someone in a warm or emotional way. Compared with 'serve', feed focuses on providing food, while 'serve' focuses on bringing or presenting it. In digital use, 'feed' means a stream of updates, which nearby words like 'timeline' or 'stream' may not always match exactly.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- cho ăn
- Spanish
- alimentar
- Chinese
- 喂养
- Japanese
- 与える
- Korean
- 먹이다
Etymology
Old English had the word fēdan, meaning 'to nourish' or 'to raise.' The modern form feed comes from this Germanic root and has been used in English for many centuries.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is feed a formal word in IELTS writing?
- It is common and clear, but 'provide food' or 'supply' may sound more formal in academic writing.
- What is the difference between feed and nourish?
- Feed means give food or input. Nourish suggests healthy care, support, or growth.
- Can feed mean online updates?
- Yes. A feed is a stream of posts, news, or updates on a website or app.
- Is feed used with animals more than people?
- Yes, especially for animals. It is also used for babies, patients, and children in everyday English.