feeding cup
C2Specialised, Medical/Care, Technical
Definition
Meaning
A cup with a specially designed spout or lid used to assist infants, elderly, or people with disabilities in drinking liquids.
Any cup-like vessel designed for assisted drinking; also historically refers to a type of cup used to administer medicine or nourishment to the sick or infirm.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is specific to care contexts and is not used for standard drinkware. It implies a degree of dependency or assistance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Term is understood in both varieties, but more common in UK medical/elderly care contexts. In US, 'sippy cup' is a more common term for child use, while 'adaptive cup' or 'dysphagia cup' may be used in clinical settings.
Connotations
In both, it connotes care for vulnerable individuals. Slightly more old-fashioned/formal in American English.
Frequency
Low frequency in general language. Higher frequency in UK nursing/care home documentation than in US.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[VERB] + feeding cup + [PREP] + [PATIENT] (e.g., administer medicine via a feeding cup)[PATIENT] + [VERB] + [PREP] + feeding cup (e.g., the toddler drank from her feeding cup)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in product descriptions for medical supply companies.
Academic
Used in nursing, occupational therapy, and gerontology papers discussing assistive devices.
Everyday
Rare. Used primarily by parents of young children, caregivers, or healthcare professionals.
Technical
Standard term in occupational therapy, nursing care plans, and medical equipment catalogues.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The nurse will help feed him using the special feeding cup.
American English
- We need to feed her with a feeding cup until her motor skills improve.
adjective
British English
- The feeding-cup protocol is outlined in the care plan.
American English
- We ordered new feeding-cup lids from the supplier.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The baby likes his blue feeding cup.
- After the surgery, she could only drink from a feeding cup.
- The occupational therapist recommended a spouted feeding cup to reduce spillage and promote independence.
- Antiquarian collections often include Victorian-era feeding cups, made of porcelain and designed for invalids.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a baby bird being fed by its mother – a 'feeding cup' helps 'feed' someone who can't drink easily on their own.
Conceptual Metaphor
CARE IS FEEDING (the tool extends the caregiver's ability to provide sustenance).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation as 'чашка для кормления', which is overly broad and could mean a bowl for pet food. More specific terms like 'поильник', 'чашка-непроливайка', or 'специальная чашка для питья' are closer.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'feeding bottle' interchangeably (a bottle is for liquids, a cup implies a different vessel).
- Capitalising it as a proper noun.
- Using it to refer to a measuring cup for cooking.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'feeding cup' MOST appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are similar, but 'sippy cup' is a more common, casual term primarily for young children. 'Feeding cup' is a broader, more clinical term that can apply to assistive devices for any age.
It depends on the material. Some are made of heat-resistant plastic or ceramic for warm liquids like soup or tea, but always check the manufacturer's instructions.
Primary users are infants transitioning from a bottle, elderly individuals with limited mobility or tremor, and people recovering from illness or surgery that affects their grip or swallowing.
Most are dishwasher safe (top rack), but components like valves or silicone spouts should be disassembled and washed thoroughly by hand to prevent mould growth.