1feed 
/ˈfi:d/ verb
feeds; fed /ˈfi:d/ verb /ˈfɛd/; feed·ing 1 a [+ obj] : to give food to (someone or something)
▪ Don't feed the animals. ▪ He was too weak to feed himself. ▪ We feed the plants with a special fertilizer twice a week. ▪ We fed the horses with/on apples, oats, and hay.
b [+ obj] : to give (something) as food to someone or something
▪ They fed [=gave, served] us breakfast before we left. = They fed breakfast to us before we left. ▪ The children fed apples to the horses. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ He was feeding information to the enemy. [=he was secretly giving information to the enemy]
c [+ obj] : to produce or provide food for (someone or something)
▪ These supplies could feed a small army for a week. ▪ He doesn't earn enough to feed a family of four. ▪ helping to feed and clothe poor children
d [no obj] : eat — usually used of animals ▪ We spotted some ducks feeding in a nearby pond. ▪ They are studying the feeding habits of sharks. ▪ a favorite feeding ground [=an area where animals feed] 2 [+ obj] a : to provide what is needed for the continued growth, operation, or existence of (something)
▪ They used the wood to feed the fire. ▪ The streams feed the creek. ▪ The motor is fed by an electrical current.
b : to supply (material to be used) to a machine
▪ The logs are fed into the mill for processing. ▪ She fed the data into the computer. ▪ The camera feeds the images to a monitor. 3 [+ obj] : to give support or strength to (something, such as a feeling)
▪ He fed their hopes with false promises. ▪ fears fed by ignorance ▪ Her early success only served to feed her ambition. 4 [+ obj] : to make (something) move through an opening
▪ The procedure involves feeding a tube down the patient's throat. ▪ She fed more coins into the slot. 5 [+ obj] sports : to pass a ball or puck to (a team member) especially for a shot at the goal
▪ He fed the ball to a teammate for an easy basket.
▪ Don't feed the animals. ▪ He was too weak to feed himself. ▪ We feed the plants with a special fertilizer twice a week. ▪ We fed the horses with/on apples, oats, and hay.
b [+ obj] : to give (something) as food to someone or something
▪ They fed [=gave, served] us breakfast before we left. = They fed breakfast to us before we left. ▪ The children fed apples to the horses. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ He was feeding information to the enemy. [=he was secretly giving information to the enemy]
c [+ obj] : to produce or provide food for (someone or something)
▪ These supplies could feed a small army for a week. ▪ He doesn't earn enough to feed a family of four. ▪ helping to feed and clothe poor children
d [no obj] : eat — usually used of animals ▪ We spotted some ducks feeding in a nearby pond. ▪ They are studying the feeding habits of sharks. ▪ a favorite feeding ground [=an area where animals feed]
▪ They used the wood to feed the fire. ▪ The streams feed the creek. ▪ The motor is fed by an electrical current.
b : to supply (material to be used) to a machine
▪ The logs are fed into the mill for processing. ▪ She fed the data into the computer. ▪ The camera feeds the images to a monitor.
▪ He fed their hopes with false promises. ▪ fears fed by ignorance ▪ Her early success only served to feed her ambition.
▪ The procedure involves feeding a tube down the patient's throat. ▪ She fed more coins into the slot.
▪ He fed the ball to a teammate for an easy basket.
bite the hand that feeds you — see 1bite
feed back [phrasal verb]
feed back or feed back (something) or feed (something) back Brit : to give helpful information or criticism to someone about a performance, product, etc. : to provide feedback — usually + to or into ▪ My music feeds back into my work. ▪ Decide how your staff should feed back to you. ▪ Computer users can feed their views back to the software companies.
feed off [phrasal verb]
feed off (something) : to gain strength, energy, or support from (something)
▪ She fed off the crowd's enthusiasm. ▪ His anger fed off his jealousy. ▪ We are able to feed off each other's ideas.
▪ She fed off the crowd's enthusiasm. ▪ His anger fed off his jealousy. ▪ We are able to feed off each other's ideas.
feed on/upon [phrasal verb]
feed on/upon (something) : to eat (something) as food — usually used of animals ▪ Owls feed on insects, birds, and small mammals.
feed (someone) a line
informal : to tell (someone) a story or an explanation that is not true
▪ He fed me a line about how he was late because his car broke down.
▪ He fed me a line about how he was late because his car broke down.
feed up [phrasal verb]
feed (someone) up Brit, informal : to make (someone) stronger or less thin by giving them large meals
▪ His mother fed him up after his illness. — see also fed up
▪ His mother fed him up after his illness. — see also fed up
feed your face
slang : to eat a lot of food
▪ He sat there for an hour, just feeding his face.
▪ He sat there for an hour, just feeding his face.
