feed

feedverb

To feed someone or something is to give them what they need to live, grow, or keep working, most often food.

1. give foodgive food to a person or an animal

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj]

   • Can you feed the cat while I am away? V + obj
   • She was feeding the baby with a spoon. V + obj + prep + obj
   • Don't feed bread to the ducks. V + obj + prep + obj
   • It costs a lot to feed a family of five. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun feed the baby, feed the cat, feed a family, feed the birds

   verb + preposition feed something to someone, feed someone on something

2. eateat, or get food from something

   Used mostly of animals and babies, not of adults eating a meal.

   intransitive [I] verb + preposition + object [V + prep + obj] verb + adverb or preposition [V + adv/prep]

   • Cows feed on grass. V + prep + obj
   • Owls feed mainly at night. V + adv/prep
   • The baby is feeding every three hours.

   Collocations

   verb + preposition feed on something, feed off something

   Synonyms eat

3. supplyput something into a machine or supply something to it, usually a little at a time

   transitive [T] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj] verb + object [V + obj]

   • She fed coins into the machine. V + obj + prep + obj
   • The paper is fed through the printer. V + obj + prep + obj (passive)
   • Feed the wire through the hole in the wall. V + obj + prep + obj

   Collocations

   verb + preposition feed something into something, feed something through something

   Synonyms supply

4. make strongermake a feeling, a belief, or a problem stronger or bigger

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

   • His success only fed his pride. V + obj
   • The news fed people's fears. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun feed fears, feed a habit, feed someone's anger