feed

S1 W1

BrE /fiːd/ AmE /fiːd/

verb en → es

past fed pp fed ing feeding

1 GIVE FOOD [transitive] A2

to give food to someone or something

alimentar, dar de comer a alguien/a algo

  • feed somebody/something with sth

Collocations feed the baby · feed the dog

  • She feeds her cat twice a day.

    Ella alimenta a su gato dos veces al día.

2 PROVIDE ENERGY [transitive] B1

to provide energy or fuel for something to work

abastecer, suministrar energía a algo

  • feed sth with sth

Collocations feed the furnace with coal · feed the engine with fuel

  • The generator is fed by a diesel engine.

    El generador está alimentado por un motor diésel.

3 SUPPLY DATA [transitive] B2

to supply data to a computer or system

suministrar datos a algo, alimentar con datos

  • feed sth into/into something

Collocations feed data into the computer · feed information into the system

  • The scanner feeds the image into the computer.

    El escáner alimenta la imagen al ordenador.

4 SUSTAIN [transitive] B1

to provide something that is necessary for life or growth

sustentar, mantener a alguien/a algo

  • feed somebody/something with sth

Collocations feed the mind with knowledge · feed the body with nutrients

  • The sun feeds the plants with light and warmth.

    El sol alimenta a las plantas con luz y calor.

5 FORAGE [intransitive] B1

to search for food or other necessities

buscar alimento, buscar comida

  • feed on sth

Collocations feed on the carcass of a dead animal · feed on the leaves of trees

  • The vultures feed on carrion.

    Las aves carroñeras se alimentan de carroña.

6 SUPPORT [transitive] B2

to support or maintain something financially

sostener, mantener a alguien/a algo económicamente

  • feed sth

Collocations feed the economy with investment · feed the war effort with supplies

  • The government feeds the economy with public spending.

    El gobierno alimenta la economía con gastos públicos.

7 FILL [transitive] B2

to fill something, especially a machine or system, with material to be processed

llenar algo con materiales para procesarlos

  • feed sth into/into something

Collocations feed paper into the printer · feed metal into a machine

  • The conveyor belt feeds the metal sheets into the press.

    La cinta transportadora alimenta las hojas de metal al prensa.

8 SUFFICE [intransitive] C1

to be enough to satisfy a need or desire

satisfacer una necesidad o deseo, bastar para algo

  • feed one's appetite for sth

Collocations feed one's curiosity about history · feed one's desire for adventure

  • The book feeds my appetite for knowledge.

    El libro satisface mi deseo de conocimiento.

Phrasal verbs

feed back INFORM B2

retroalimentar, dar retroalimentación

  • The manager asked us to feed back our ideas.

    El gerente nos pidió que le dieramos nuestra opinión.

feed in INSERT B2

insertar, introducir

  • Feed the card into the machine.

    Introduce la tarjeta en la máquina.

feed off DERIVE ENERGY FROM C1

derivar energía de algo, alimentarse de algo

  • The parasite feeds off the host's blood.

    El parásito se alimenta del sangre del huésped.

feed on DERIVE ENERGY FROM B2

alimentarse de algo, obtener energía de algo

  • The plant feeds on sunlight.

    La planta se alimenta de la luz solar.

feed up FATTEN UP C1

engordar, hacer que algo gane peso

  • The farmer feeds the pigs up.

    El granjero alimenta a los cerdos para engordarlos.

Idioms

feed somebody's ego C1

alimentar el ego de alguien, hacer sentirse bien a alguien

  • She feeds her boss's ego by praising him all the time.

    Ella alimenta el ego de su jefe alabándolo todo el tiempo.

feed somebody's mind C1

alimentar la mente de alguien, nutrir la mente de alguien

  • Travel feeds the mind.

    Viajar alimenta la mente.

feed somebody's curiosity C1

alimentar la curiosidad de alguien, despertar el interés en algo

  • The mystery feeds her curiosity.

    El misterio alimenta su curiosidad.