refill

1 of 2

verb

re·​fill (ˌ)rē-ˈfil How to pronounce refill (audio)
refilled; refilling; refills

transitive verb

: to fill again : replenish

intransitive verb

: to become filled again
refillable adjective

refill

2 of 2

noun

re·​fill ˈrē-ˌfil How to pronounce refill (audio)
1
: a product or a container and a product used to refill the exhausted supply of a device
2
: something provided again
especially : a second or later filling of a medical prescription

Examples of refill in a Sentence

Verb He refilled his glass from the nearby pitcher. The reservoir will refill once it begins raining.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Simple eco-kits like a metal tumbler for refilling drinking water, metal or bamboo straws and cloth shopping bags not only make great gifts but also empower recipients to reduce their reliance on single-use plastics in everyday life. Dianne Plummer, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024 Keep an eye on the water level, refilling as water evaporates. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
Although many leading brands are now offering some excellent sustainable refill alternatives, according to Ethical Consumer, bars of soap are less likely to contain petroleum, use less plastic packaging and have lower emissions from transportation than liquid soap. Laia Farran Graves, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024 The 50-ml. jar of Crème Jour is to be priced at $145, with its refill at $125. Jennifer Weil, WWD, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for refill 

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1615, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of refill was in 1615

Dictionary Entries Near refill

Cite this Entry

“Refill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refill. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

refill

1 of 2 verb
re·​fill (ˈ)rē-ˈfil How to pronounce refill (audio)
: to fill or become filled again
refillable adjective

refill

2 of 2 noun
re·​fill ˈrē-ˌfil How to pronounce refill (audio)
: a new or fresh supply of something
a refill for a ball-point pen

Medical Definition

refill

1 of 2 transitive verb
re·​fill (ˈ)rē-ˈfil How to pronounce refill (audio)
: to fill (a prescription) a second or subsequent time

refill

2 of 2 noun
re·​fill ˈrē-ˌfil How to pronounce refill (audio)
1
: a replacement in a cavity of removed liquid or other material or a substitution (as of gas) for such material
pneumothorax refill
2
: a prescription compounded and dispensed for a second or subsequent time without an order from the physician
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!