Feed vs. Nourish — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 8, 2024
"Feed" generally means to provide food, suitable for animals or humans, focusing on the act itself, while "nourish" implies providing necessary substances for growth, health, and good condition, highlighting the quality and benefit of the food.
Difference Between Feed and Nourish
Table of Contents
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To give food to someone or something.
To provide the food or nutrients needed for growth and health.
Focus
Act of providing food.
Quality and benefit of the food.
Purpose
To satisfy hunger or basic sustenance needs.
To support overall well-being and health.
Application
Humans, animals, plants.
Humans, animals, plants, including emotional and intellectual nourishment.
Contextual Use
Routine, basic care.
Holistic, focused on long-term health and vitality.
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Compare with Definitions
Feed
Feeding means giving food to satisfy hunger.
She feeds her dog twice a day.
Nourish
Nourishment supports growth and vitality.
The nourishment received from whole foods is superior to processed foods.
Feed
Feeding can be a mechanical or uninvolved process.
Automatic feeders help feed pets when owners are away.
Nourish
It can extend beyond physical sustenance.
Reading nourishes the mind and spirit.
Feed
The act of feeding does not imply nutritional value.
Fast food feeds hunger but doesn't always nourish the body.
Nourish
Nourishing means providing essential nutrients for health.
A balanced diet nourishes the body and mind.
Feed
It applies to routine care and sustenance.
The farmer feeds the livestock every morning.
Nourish
It involves careful selection of food for its benefits.
She nourishes her family with home-cooked, nutrient-rich meals.
Feed
It includes providing nutrients or substances.
Feeding plants with fertilizer promotes growth.
Nourish
Nourishing actions are intentional and beneficial.
The program aims to nourish underprivileged children through education and nutrition.
Feed
To give food to; supply with nourishment
Feed the children.
Nourish
To provide with food or other substances necessary for life and growth; feed.
Feed
To provide as food or nourishment
Fed fish to the cat.
Nourish
To foster the development of; promote
"Athens was an imperial city, nourished by the tribute of subjects" (V. Gordon Childe).
Feed
To serve as food for
The turkey is large enough to feed a dozen.
Nourish
To keep alive; maintain
Nourish a hope.
Feed
To produce food for
The valley feeds an entire county.
Nourish
(obsolete) A nurse.
Feed
To provide for consumption, utilization, or operation
Feed logs to a fire.
Feed data into a computer.
Nourish
(transitive) To feed and cause to grow; to supply with food or other matter which increases weight and promotes health.
Feed
To supply with something essential for growth, maintenance, or operation
Melting snow feeds the reservoirs.
Nourish
(transitive) To support; to maintain; to be responsible for.
Feed
To transmit (media content) by means of a communications network or satellite, as for processing or distribution.
Nourish
(transitive) To encourage; to foster; to stimulate
Feed
To minister to; gratify
Fed their appetite for the morbid.
Nourish
(transitive)To cherish; to comfort.
Feed
To support or promote; encourage
His unexplained absences fed our suspicions.
Nourish
To educate or bring up; to nurture; to promote emotional, spiritual or other non-physical growth.
Feed
To supply as a cue
Feed lines to an actor.
Nourish
(intransitive) To promote growth; to furnish nutriment.
This type of nourishes very well.
Feed
(Sports) To pass a ball or puck to (a teammate), especially to set up a scoring chance.
Nourish
To gain nourishment.
Feed
To eat. Used of animals
Pigs feeding at a trough.
Nourish
To feed and cause to grow; to supply with matter which increases bulk or supplies waste, and promotes health; to furnish with nutriment.
He planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it.
Feed
To be nourished or supported
An ego that feeds on flattery.
Nourish
To support; to maintain.
Whiles I in Ireland nourish a mighty band.
Feed
To move steadily, as into a machine for processing.
Nourish
To supply the means of support and increase to; to encourage; to foster; as, to nourish rebellion; to nourish the virtues.
Feed
To be channeled; flow
This road feeds into the freeway.
Nourish
To cherish; to comfort.
Ye have nourished your hearts.
Feed
Food for animals, especially livestock.
Nourish
To educate; to instruct; to bring up; to nurture; to promote the growth of in attainments.
Nourished up in the words of faith.
Feed
The amount of such food given at one time.
Nourish
To promote growth; to furnish nutriment.
Grains and roots nourish more than their leaves.
Feed
(Informal) A meal, especially a large one
We had a great feed at the restaurant.
Nourish
To gain nourishment.
Feed
The act of providing food, especially to an animal
Food given at one feed.
Nourish
A nurse.
Feed
Material or an amount of material supplied, as to a machine or furnace.
Nourish
Provide with nourishment;
We sustained ourselves on bread and water
This kind of food is not nourishing for young children
Feed
The act of supplying such material.
Nourish
Give nourishment to
Feed
An apparatus that supplies material to a machine.
Feed
The aperture through which such material enters a machine.
Feed
The transmission or conveyance of published content, as by satellite, on the internet, or by broadcast over a network of stations.
Feed
A signal or program made by means of such transmission
The satellite feed was garbled due to sunspot activity.
Feed
(Sports) A pass of a ball or puck, especially to set up a scoring chance.
Feed
(transitive) To give (someone or something) food to eat.
Feed the dog every evening.
Feed
(intransitive) To eat usually of animals.
Spiders feed on gnats and flies.
Feed
(ditransitive) To give (someone or something) to (someone or something else) as food.
Feed the fish to the dolphins.
Feed
(transitive) To give to a machine to be processed.
Feed the paper gently into the document shredder.
We got interesting results after feeding the computer with the new data.
Feed
(figurative) To satisfy, gratify, or minister to (a sense, taste, desire, etc.).
Feed
To supply with something.
Springs feed ponds with water.
Feed
To graze; to cause to be cropped by feeding, as herbage by cattle.
If grain is too forward in autumn, feed it with sheep.
Feed
To pass to.
Feed
To create the environment where another phonological rule can apply; to be applied before another rule.
Nasalization feeds raising.
Feed
To create the syntactic environment in which another syntactic rule is applied; to be applied before another syntactic rule.
Feed
Simple past tense and past participle of fee
Feed
(uncountable) Food given to (especially herbivorous) non-human animals.
They sell feed, riding helmets, and everything else for horses.
Feed
Something supplied continuously.
A satellite feed
Feed
The part of a machine that supplies the material to be operated upon.
The paper feed of a printer
Feed
The forward motion of the material fed into a machine.
Feed
A meal.
Feed
(countable) A gathering to eat, especially in large quantities.
They held a crab feed on the beach.
Feed
(Internet) Encapsulated online content, such as news or a blog, that can be subscribed to.
I've subscribed to the feeds of my favourite blogs, so I can find out when new posts are added without having to visit those sites.
Feed
A straight man who delivers lines to the comedian during a performance.
Feed
To give food to; to supply with nourishment; to satisfy the physical huger of.
If thine enemy hunger, feed him.
Unreasonable creatures feed their young.
Feed
To satisfy; gratify or minister to, as any sense, talent, taste, or desire.
I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.
Feeding him with the hope of liberty.
Feed
To fill the wants of; to supply with that which is used or wasted; as, springs feed ponds; the hopper feeds the mill; to feed a furnace with coal.
Feed
To nourish, in a general sense; to foster, strengthen, develop, and guard.
Thou shalt feed my people Israel.
Mightiest powers by deepest calms are fed.
Feed
To graze; to cause to be cropped by feeding, as herbage by cattle; as, if grain is too forward in autumn, feed it with sheep.
Once in three years feed your mowing lands.
Feed
To give for food, especially to animals; to furnish for consumption; as, to feed out turnips to the cows; to feed water to a steam boiler.
Feed
To supply (the material to be operated upon) to a machine; as, to feed paper to a printing press.
Feed
To subject by eating; to satisfy the appetite; to feed one's self (upon something); to prey; - with on or upon.
Leaving thy trunk for crows to feed upon.
Feed
To be nourished, strengthened, or satisfied, as if by food.
Feed
To place cattle to feed; to pasture; to graze.
If a man . . . shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field.
Feed
That which is eaten; esp., food for beasts; fodder; pasture; hay; grain, ground or whole; as, the best feed for sheep.
Feed
A grazing or pasture ground.
Feed
An allowance of provender given to a horse, cow, etc.; a meal; as, a feed of corn or oats.
Feed
A meal, or the act of eating.
For such pleasure till that hourAt feed or fountain never had I found.
Feed
The water supplied to steam boilers.
Feed
The motion, or act, of carrying forward the stuff to be operated upon, as cloth to the needle in a sewing machine; or of producing progressive operation upon any material or object in a machine, as, in a turning lathe, by moving the cutting tool along or in the work.
Feed
Food for domestic livestock
Feed
Provide as food;
Feed the guests the nuts
Feed
Give food to;
Feed the starving children in India
Don't give the child this tough meat
Feed
Feed into; supply;
Her success feeds her vanity
Feed
Introduce continuously;
Feed carrots into a food processor
Feed
Support or promote;
His admiration fed her vanity
Feed
Take in food; used of animals only;
This dog doesn't eat certain kinds of meat
What do whales eat?
Feed
Serve as food for; be the food for;
This dish feeds six
Feed
Move along, of liquids;
Water flowed into the cave
The Missouri feeds into the Mississippi
Feed
Profit from in an exploitatory manner;
He feeds on her insecurity
Feed
Gratify;
Feed one's eyes on a gorgeous view
Feed
Provide with fertilizers or add nutrients to;
We should fertilize soil if we want to grow healthy plants
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to feed someone?
To feed someone means to provide them with food to satisfy hunger or meet basic dietary needs.
Why is nourishment important?
Nourishment is crucial for maintaining health, supporting growth, and preventing diseases by ensuring the body gets essential nutrients.
Is nourishing applicable only to physical health?
No, nourishing can also apply to emotional, intellectual, and spiritual well-being, emphasizing the importance of quality and enrichment in various aspects of life.
What role does feeding play in animal care?
In animal care, feeding is a basic responsibility that ensures animals receive the sustenance they need to survive.
How does nourishing differ from feeding?
Nourishing focuses on the quality and nutritional value of food to support health and growth, beyond just satisfying hunger.
How can one ensure they are nourishing, not just feeding, their pets?
By choosing high-quality, nutrient-rich foods appropriate for the pet's species, age, and health status, focusing on long-term well-being.
What's an example of nourishing plants?
Providing plants with a balanced mix of nutrients, adequate water, and suitable sunlight, considering their specific needs for optimal growth.
How can communities work towards nourishing their populations?
Communities can promote nourishment through education about healthy eating, ensuring access to nutritious foods, and supporting local agriculture.
Can feeding also nourish?
Yes, feeding can nourish if the food provided is rich in necessary nutrients and chosen with the intention of promoting health.
Can fast food be nourishing?
While fast food is typically associated with being convenient rather than nutritious, some options can be nourishing if they include balanced nutrients.
Can one be overfed but undernourished?
Yes, it's possible to consume more calories than needed (overfed) while still lacking essential nutrients (undernourished), leading to poor health outcomes.
How do concepts of feeding and nourishing apply to education?
Feeding information to students might refer to basic knowledge transmission, whereas nourishing students involves engaging them in a way that promotes deep understanding and intellectual growth.
What is the significance of nourishing food in child development?
Nourishing food is essential in child development for supporting physical growth, cognitive development, and preventing health issues.
Is there a cultural aspect to nourishment?
Yes, cultural practices and traditions can influence what is considered nourishing, reflecting diverse dietary habits and values around food and health.
What does it mean to be well-nourished?
Being well-nourished means receiving and assimilating enough nutrients from food to support all bodily functions effectively, leading to good health and vitality.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
