French word

alimenter

Pronunciation

IPA/alimɑ̃te/

Meaning

  • verbfeed

Example

J'alimente le chat tous les matins.

I feed the cat every morning.

Illustration for alimenter (feed)

More examples

Il alimente le bébé avec une cuillère.

He feeds the baby with a spoon.

Core concept

Nourishment, energy, or useful input flows into a person, animal, machine, or activity.

Common phrases

  • alimenter un bébé

    feed a baby

  • alimenter un animal

    feed an animal

  • alimenter une personne âgée

    feed an elderly person

Similar words

nourrir: To feed people or animals.
fournir: To supply goods, services, or information.

Definition in French

Fournir ou approvisionner en nourriture, énergie ou ressources nécessaires pour soutenir une personne, un animal ou un dispositif.

Word origin

Latin alimentare, based on alimentum, 'nourishment', and alere, 'to nourish', developed into French alimenter through Old French.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English feed, alimenter commonly applies to machines, networks, and systems, while nourrir is usually used for giving food to people or animals.

Other meanings

  • supplyverb
  • nourishverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word