Meaning & use
feedback loops
Last updated
“feedback loops” is a form of “feedback loop”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
nounplural
Repeating cycles in which the result of a process changes the process itself.
Grammar: Always plural in form; the singular is 'feedback loop'.
Patterns
- feedback loops in something
- create feedback loops
- positive/negative feedback loops
Feedback loops in the economy can make small changes spread quickly.
The report explains how feedback loops affect the climate.
Engineers design feedback loops to keep machines stable.
Word forms
| singular | feedback loop |
|---|
Common combinations
- positive feedback loops
- Positive feedback loops can lead to runaway growth.
- negative feedback loops
- Negative feedback loops help keep the body's temperature steady.
- complex feedback loops
- The climate system has many complex feedback loops.
Synonyms and how they differ
- cycles
- Cycles are any repeated events; feedback loops specifically involve the output affecting the input.
Word family
- feedback loop noun
- The singular form.
- feedback noun
- Information about how well something is working.
Practice
The scientist studied how ______ in the ocean affect global temperatures.
Choose one answer.
'Feedback loops' is the plural and fits 'how ... affect'. 'Feedback loop' is singular and would need 'affects'; 'feedback' alone does not mean the repeating cycle.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “feedback loops”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.