feedback

[feed-bak]

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

/ 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

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

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.

Feedback is usually a feature of automation.

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of feedback¹

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

Example Sentences

Between Russ — Danny is a college student in 2025 — all of these coaches who are constantly caught in the negative feedback loop of being the coach of a struggling team — it had to sound modern.

From Los Angeles Times

He stuck to his pattern and quickly fell into a familiar feedback loop: Flood the zone with chaos, and then pretend it never happened.

From Salon

Ms Crosby-Read said they had been in touch with the council and made low-cost suggestions about the plans and had also provided feedback during the consultation but did not hear back from the authority.

From BBC

It also suggests using books that challenge gender stereotypes, and ensuring feedback is neutral, so that "boys and girls aren't praised for different things".

From BBC

"There are plenty of examples where people have been given that feedback and they've been aghast. They've had no idea about the impact their behaviour has had on other people," says Suzy.

From BBC

Related Words

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