replenish

verb

re·​plen·​ish ri-ˈple-nish How to pronounce replenish (audio)
replenished; replenishing; replenishes

transitive verb

1
: to fill or build up again
replenish a supply of fuel
… London's population was continually being replenished with recruits from the countryside …Barbara A. Hanawalt
… most of her income will be used to replenish the family's almost-depleted savings.Louis Uchitelle
… the fields are rotated every three years with other crops … so that the soil can replenish itself and remain nitrogen rich.Eugenia Bone
Apparently, animals sleep to regulate body temperature, organize memories and replenish the immune system …Sandra Blakeslee
2
a
: to fill with persons or animals
… be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earthGenesis 1:28 (Authorized Version)
b
: to fill with inspiration or power : nourish
… the American mind should cease to replenish itself with the mighty wonders of Europe …Van Wyck Brooks
c
archaic : to supply fully : perfect
… his hive had so long been replenished with honey …William Wordsworth
… the most replenished villain in the world …William Shakespeare
replenishable adjective
replenisher noun
replenishment noun

Examples of replenish in a Sentence

An efficient staff of workers replenished the trays of appetizers almost as quickly as guests emptied them. He replenished his supply of wood in preparation for the winter. Drink this—you need to replenish your fluids after your hike. plants that replenish soil nutrients
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.
The Sierra Nevada snowpack provides about 30 percent of California's water, gradually melting to replenish rivers, reservoirs and groundwater. Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025 This move would help Keller replenish its fund balance, which has a $35 million deficit, according to a financial audit presented in January. Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2025 This ingredient absorbs oil while replenishing hydration for a soft, smooth texture without a trace of greasiness. Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 29 Mar. 2025 Not only do volcanic eruptions kill the fungus, but volcanic ash from the Cumbre Vieja eruption also replenished the soil with nutrients like iron and zinc, and reduced the incidence of banana wilt, according to Dr. Marrero. Colette Davidson, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for replenish

Word History

Etymology

Middle English replenyssen, replenisshen "to fill, provide (with food and drink), populate," borrowed from Anglo-French repleniss-, stem of replenir "to fill, make full, refill" (also continental Old French), from re- re- + -plenir, verbal derivative of plein "full," going back to Latin plēnus — more at full entry 1

Note: In French this verb is apparently derived independently from plenir "to fill" (see plenish), which is attested later and in a very restricted geographical area. In Middle French replenir competed unsuccessfully with remplir, which effectually replaced it in Modern French.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of replenish was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Replenish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/replenish. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

replenish

verb
re·​plen·​ish ri-ˈplen-ish How to pronounce replenish (audio)
: to make full or complete once more
replenish a supply of fuel
replenisher noun
replenishment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on replenish

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