feedwater: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (Specialist)Technical / Industrial
Quick answer
What does “feedwater” mean?
Water that is supplied to a boiler or steam-generating system, typically after being treated to remove impurities.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Water that is supplied to a boiler or steam-generating system, typically after being treated to remove impurities.
Any water supplied to an industrial or mechanical system for use in its operation, such as in cooling towers or reactors. In broader usage, water introduced into a process.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling remains the same (one word).
Connotations
Strictly technical/industrial in both varieties. No regional connotations.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialized in both dialects, confined to engineering, power generation, and marine contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “feedwater” in a Sentence
[The] + feedwater + [is/needs/must be] + [verb in past participle] e.g., 'The feedwater is treated.'Feedwater + [for/to] + [noun] e.g., 'feedwater for the reactor'Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “feedwater” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The feedwater pump malfunctioned.
- Check the feedwater treatment system.
American English
- The feedwater heater is offline.
- A feedwater line ruptured.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, only in specific industrial company reports or contracts.
Academic
Used in engineering, thermodynamics, and naval architecture papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Primary domain. Used in manuals, schematics, and operations for steam plants, power stations, and ships.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “feedwater”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “feedwater”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “feedwater”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to feedwater the boiler' – incorrect; use 'to supply feedwater to').
- Spelling as two words ('feed water') in formal technical writing (though sometimes seen).
- Confusing it with 'cooling water' (which removes heat, not turned to steam).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In standard technical writing, it is almost always closed up as one word: 'feedwater'.
No. It is exclusively a noun. The action is described as 'to supply feedwater' or 'to feed water' (as a verb phrase).
Feedwater is intended to be converted into steam within a boiler. Cooling water is used to absorb and carry away waste heat from a process, without changing phase.
No. It is a highly specialized technical term. Most people would only encounter it if they work in relevant engineering fields.
Water that is supplied to a boiler or steam-generating system, typically after being treated to remove impurities.
Feedwater is usually technical / industrial in register.
Feedwater: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfiːdwɔːtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfiːdwɔːtər/ or /ˈfiːdwɑːtər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a steam engine: you FEED it coal and you FEED it WATER. The water you feed it is the FEEDWATER.
Conceptual Metaphor
WATER IS FUEL / INPUT (for a machine).
Practice
Quiz
In which industry is the term 'feedwater' most commonly used?