Definition

Noun: A container, typically made of glass or plastic, fitted with a flexible nipple (teat) and used for feeding milk or liquid formula to infants and very young children as a substitute for or supplement to breastfeeding.

Usage

The term "feeding bottle" refers specifically to the complete assembly used for infant feeding. It is a standard noun and is commonly used in childcare, medical, and everyday contexts.

Examples

• The pediatrician recommended sterilizing the feeding bottle before each use.
• She warmed the formula in the feeding bottle under running hot water.
• Modern feeding bottles are often designed to reduce air intake and mimic breastfeeding.

Advanced Usage

• "to bottle-feed": This is the verb derived from the concept of using a feeding bottle. It describes the action of feeding an infant with a bottle.
  • The father bottle-fed the baby while the mother rested.

Variants and Related Words

• Bottle (noun): In the context of infant care, "bottle" is often used as a shortened, more common synonym for "feeding bottle."
  • He dropped the baby's bottle.
• Baby bottle (noun): A common alternative term with identical meaning.
• Nursing bottle (noun): A less common synonym, primarily used in North America.

Synonyms

• Baby bottle
• Nursing bottle
• Bottle (in context)

Antonyms

• Breast
• (The concept of) Breastfeeding

Related Phrases

• Bottle-feeding (noun/gerund): The practice or act of feeding an infant with a bottle.
  • They chose bottle-feeding for their newborn.
• Formula bottle (noun phrase): A feeding bottle containing prepared infant formula, specifying the contents.

Noun

1. a vessel fitted with a flexible teat and filled with milk or formula; used as a substitute for breast feeding infants and very young children