fed
/fed/ (bre, ipa) · [fˈɛd] /fed/ (ame, ipa)
fed — verb
- fedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- feds3rd person singular
- fedding-ing form
- feddedpast simple
1. the form of the verb 'feed' that shows an action of giving food happened in the
the form of the verb 'feed' that shows an action of giving food happened in the past — for example, 'Ezra fed the baby' means Ezra gave the baby food at an earlier time.
Hannah fed the cat before she left for work this morning.
simple past: fed + object
The sheep had already been fed by the time the farmer arrived.
passive: had been fed
Anjali fed the baby rice cereal for the first time yesterday.
The horses in the stable are fed twice a day by the groom.
Ezra spooned the soup into bowls and fed the guests one by one.
文法句型
fed + object
fed on + food
fed + object + to + recipient
用法筆記
This is NOT a separate verb with its own meaning — it is simply the past tense and past participle of 'feed' (give food to). The verb 'feed' is irregular: feed → fed → fed. Use it exactly as you would use 'feed', but for past-time situations.
常見錯誤
2. used informally for the act of arresting or capturing a person suspected of comm
used informally for the act of arresting or capturing a person suspected of committing a crime — for instance, a detective might say they 'fed' the thief after collaring him.
The detective boasted that he had fed the suspect within twenty-four hours.
informal register: police catching a suspect
Word on the street said the gang leader got fed by the narcotics unit.
passive: got fed — informal passive construction
Hassan said the security team fed two shoplifters before lunchtime.
If the undercover officers had fed him sooner, the robbery might never have happened.
- released
the opposite action — letting someone go instead of catching them
文法句型
fed + someone (object)
用法筆記
This slang sense is primarily British and used in informal contexts, often within police or criminal circles. It is not used in formal writing. Distinguish from sense 1 (past tense of feed) — the context will tell you which is meant: if the object is a person involved in crime, it is sense 2.
常見錯誤
fed — noun
- fedsingular
- fedsplural
1. an informal word for a law enforcement officer — most often a federal agent like
an informal word for a law enforcement officer — most often a federal agent like an FBI officer, but also used for local police officers in everyday speech.
The feds arrived at the warehouse just as the deal was going through.
usually plural: the feds
Lara had no idea her neighbour was a Fed until she saw the badge.
singular: a Fed
When the local police could not solve the case, they called in the feds.
Sirin heard rumours that the feds had been watching the building for months.
The movie follows a young Fed who goes undercover in a crime family.
Elena spotted the police car and whispered to her friend that the feds were outside.
In some areas, people say 'the feds' for any officer, city police or federal.
Ziad laughed when his uncle called the local traffic cop a Fed.
The teenagers scattered as soon as someone yelled that the feds were on the corner.
- federal agent
formal term; 'Fed' is the informal shortening
- FBI agent
more specific — most 'Feds' are indeed FBI, but the term can cover other agencies too
- cop
equally informal; refers to any police officer regardless of jurisdiction
文法句型
the feds (plural)
a Fed (singular)
用法筆記
Often written with a capital F ('a Fed', 'the Feds'). Though the word technically refers to federal agents (FBI, DEA, ATF), in informal speech it is frequently used for any law enforcement officer, including city police. The lowercase spelling is also common. In formal writing, use 'federal agent' or 'police officer' instead.
常見錯誤
2. the central banking system of the United States, which manages the country's mon
the central banking system of the United States, which manages the country's money supply, sets interest rates, and supervises banks — for example, when 'the Fed raises rates', borrowing money becomes more expensive. Also refers to the Board of Governors, the seven-member body that oversees the system.
The Fed announced a quarter-point rate cut to help boost the slowing economy.
the Fed + financial term: rate cut
Financial analysts around the world watch every word the Fed chair says about inflation.
When the Fed prints more money, the value of each dollar can go down.
Henrik read that the Fed is expected to keep interest rates steady until next spring.
Small business owners often worry about how the Fed's decisions will affect their loans.
The Fed Board of Governors voted seven to zero in favour of the new regulation.
According to the Fed's official statement, the board members agreed on the policy change.
Talia found the old government report labelled 'Annual Report of the Fed, 1987' in the archive.
The Fed's Board has seven members who serve staggered fourteen-year terms.
- the Federal Reserve
full formal name
- the US central bank
descriptive, universally understood
- the Federal Reserve Board
more specific — refers to the governing body
文法句型
the Fed (singular)
用法筆記
Always capitalized when referring to the Federal Reserve. Common in financial news and discussions about the US economy. The full name is 'the Federal Reserve System' or 'the Federal Reserve Board', but 'the Fed' is the standard informal shorthand. In official documents, 'the Fed' may specifically refer to the Board of Governors (the seven-member governing body) rather than the entire system. Distinguish from 'the feds' (law enforcement — sense 1) by context: if the topic is money, banking, or interest rates, it is the central bank.
常見錯誤
3. a short written form of the words 'federal' or 'federation', used in official do
a short written form of the words 'federal' or 'federation', used in official documents, addresses, and titles — for example, 'Fed. Gov.' means 'Federal Government'.
The envelope was addressed to the Fed. Bureau of Investigation in Washington, D.C.
written abbreviation: Fed. for Federal
Please mail the application to the Fed. Trade Commission office on Marshall Avenue.
written abbreviation: Fed. for Federal in addresses
Mert noted that the treaty was signed by the Russian Fed. and Kazakhstan.
The document header read 'Fed. Register' at the top of every page.
文法句型
Fed. (with period)
用法筆記
This is a WRITTEN abbreviation only — you would not say 'Fed' aloud to mean 'federal' in speech. When reading aloud, you still say 'federal' or 'federation'. The abbreviation appears most often in legal citations, government document titles, and formal addresses.