feedback

American  

[feed-bak] / ˈfidˌbæk /

noun

1. Electronics.

   1. the process of returning part of the output of a circuit, system, or device to the input, either to oppose the input negative feedback or to aid the input positive feedback.

   2. acoustic feedback.

2. the furnishing of data concerning the operation or output of a machine to an automatic control device or to the machine itself, so that subsequent or ongoing operations of the machine can be altered or corrected.

3. a reaction or response to a particular process or activity.

   He got very little feedback from his speech.

4. evaluative information derived from such a reaction or response.

   to study the feedback from an audience survey.

5. Psychology. knowledge of the results of any behavior, considered as influencing or modifying further performance.

6. Biology. a self-regulatory biological system, as in the synthesis of some hormones, in which the output or response affects the input, either positively or negatively.

---

feedback British  

/ ˈfiːdˌbæk /

noun

1. 1. the return of part of the output of an electronic circuit, device, or mechanical system to its input, so modifying its characteristics. In negative feedback a rise in output energy reduces the input energy; in positive feedback an increase in output energy reinforces the input energy

   2. that part of the output signal fed back into the input

2. the return of part of the sound output by a loudspeaker to the microphone or pick-up so that a high-pitched whistle is produced

3. the whistling noise so produced

4. 1. the effect of the product of a biological pathway on the rate of an earlier step in that pathway

   2. the substance or reaction causing such an effect, such as the release of a hormone in a biochemical pathway

5. information in response to an inquiry, experiment, etc

   there was little feedback from our questionnaire

---

verb

1. (tr) to return (part of the output of a system) to its input

2. to offer or suggest (information, ideas, etc) in reaction to an inquiry, experiment, etc

feedback Scientific  

/ fēd′băk′ /

1. The supply of an input to some process or system as a function of its output.

2. See more at negative feedback positive feedback

---

feedback Cultural  

1. A process in which a system regulates itself by monitoring its own output. That is, it “feeds back” part of its output to itself. Feedback is used to control machines; a heating system, for example, uses a thermostat to monitor and adjust its output. Feedback is also used by the human brain to control various muscles and joints.

---

Discover More

Feedback is usually a feature of automation.

By extension, “feedback” is any response or information about the result of a process.

Etymology

Origin of feedback

First recorded in 1915–20; noun use of verb phrase feed back

Example Sentences

Express that you’re coming from a place of care, not judgment, and your feedback will be better received.

From MarketWatch

But just over 24 hours later a ORR spokesperson said after listening to feedback it would give Network Rail and Avanti permission to continue running the service with passengers.

From BBC

The second is evidence of a positive feedback cycle in which these fractures increased ice acceleration, which in turn caused further damage.

From Science Daily

I can DM and talk to my fans and ask them for their feedback, what products they want, what scents are their favorite, all these things.

From The Wall Street Journal

But it was clear that people had "formed strong habits", the spokesperson said, and further changes may be made based on the feedback.

From BBC

Related Words

• assessment
• comment
• criticism
• evaluation
• observation
• reaction