Definition of feedback

The word "feedback" has its roots in physics and was first used in the late 19th century. It was initially used to describe the process of measuring the amount of energy or information that returns or is re-transmitted from a system, such as the sound that bounces back when you shout into a valley. In this sense, "feedback" referred to the re-emitted energy or signal that is sent back to the origin. The term was later adopted in the context of machines, such as amplifiers and control systems, to describe the process of returning a signal to the input or control mechanism. In the mid-20th century, the concept of feedback was applied to human communication and learning, where it referred to the process of receiving information or responses to one's actions, and using that information to adjust or modify future behavior. This usage of the term has since become widespread in fields such as Education, Psychology, and Business.