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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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

Explanation

When you give feedback, it means you offer a helpful response to someone's work or idea. If you were recording your first album and you asked friends for feedback on which songs to include, you'd be asking them to offer their critical opinions on your music. Feedback is almost always offered or requested with the intention of improving the final product. Another meaning of feedback is a kind of sound distortion from an amplifier or microphone. This sense of electronic feedback has been around since about 1920, while the "critical response" definition didn't come into use until 1955.

Example Sentences

The details are less important than understanding that aggressive call buying can create a positive feedback loop that pushes a stock price higher.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

Ajinomoto said it takes feedback and proposals from investors very seriously, and remains committed to using those insights to generate further sustainable growth in enterprise value.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

According to the professor, pupils would benefit from consistent marking and faster feedback with AI but it could also be a game changer for teachers.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

Every profile and attempt to “explain” him risks becoming part of the very feedback loop that sustains him.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

The metal ladies unhinged their jaws and blasted out a sound like a Super Bowl crowd mixed with feedback.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

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