alimenter

feed, supply, fuel

verb ah-lee-mahn-TEH Rare

Origin: from 'aliment' (food, nourishment), from Latin 'alimentum'

Usage Note

Alimenter is broader than 'to feed' — it means to supply or sustain anything: alimenter un débat (to fuel a debate), alimenter un réseau (to supply a network). The reflexive s'alimenter means 'to eat' or 'to feed oneself', often in a medical or nutritional context. The adjective alimentaire (food-related, as in industrie alimentaire) shares the same root.

Examples

"Ce barrage alimente la ville en eau."

Natural Translation

This dam supplies the city with water.

Literal Translation

This dam feeds the city in water.

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