Definition of: feed

(fēd) noun
1. Anything that is used for food; especially, food for domestic animals; fodder, such as hay and grain.
2. The amount of food given to an animal at one time.
3. The motion that carries material into a machine or work toward a tool.
4. The machinery by which motion of the work toward the tool or of the tool toward the work is produced.
5. The material supplied to a machine to be operated upon or consumed, as wool to a carding engine or water to a boiler.
6. Colloq. A meal. See synonyms under FOOD. [<v.]
—v. fed, feed·ing v.t.
1. To give food to; supply with food.
2. To give as food.
3. To furnish with what is necessary for the continuance, growth, or operation of: to feed a furnace.
4. To supply (what is necessary) for operation, manufacture, etc.: to feed steel to a factory.
5. To enlarge; increase, as if by causing to grow: Compliments feed his vanity.
6. To cue an actor with (lines).
7. In sports, to hand or throw (the ball or puck) to a player who will try for a goal, etc.
—v.i.
8. To take food; eat: said of animals.
9. To subsist; depend: usually with on: to feed on hopes. [OE fēdan]