feeding

1 of 2

noun

feed·​ing ˈfē-diŋ 

1

: the act or process of eating or being fed

For a while zoos tried to control feeding by providing vending machines with pellets, but most have now banned it entirely.

—Phillip T. Robinson

—often used before another noun

a feeding schedule

feeding behavior

2

: an instance of feeding

two a.m. feedings

ready for a feeding

feeding

2 of 2

present participle of feed entry 1

Examples of feeding in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Lace bugs are sap-sucking insects, and their type of feeding damage is called stippling. — Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 3 Nov. 2026

Generally coyotes pose little threat to humans unless they have been habituated through intentional or unintentional feeding. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 2 Nov. 2026

Hoylman-Sigal said feedings are taking place elsewhere, according to the NYC Bird Alliance. — Dave Carlin, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

When the wife went in to wake the baby for another feeding, the husband opened the sliding door and followed the dog out onto the balcony. — Téa Obreht, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing feeding

• breast-feeding
• care and feeding
• feeding frenzy
• feeding ground
• feeding tube

Rhymes for feeding

• beading
• bleeding
• breeding
• ceding
• heeding
• kneading
• leading
• needing
• pleading
• reding
• seeding
• speeding