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Backfill vs Replace - What's the difference?

backfill | replace |

As verbs the difference between backfill and replace

is that backfill is to refill a hole with the material dug out of it while replace is to restore to a former place, position, condition, or the like.

As a noun backfill

is the material that has been used to refill an excavation.

backfill

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • To refill a hole with the material dug out of it.
  • (archaeology) To refill an excavation unit to restore the former ground surface and or to preserve the unit and make it recognizable as having been excavated.
  • * We backfilled the cistern with pea gravel to discourage its use as a refuse container.
  • (US) To provide reserve support.
  • (US) To replenish or restock due to attrition or loss.
    • The company backfilled Joe's position after he was terminated.

    Noun

  • The material that has been used to refill an excavation.
  • (US) Reserve support personnel.
  • (US) That which backfills; a replacement.
  • (literature) Material in a story set earlier in the past, providing history or context for the current action.

    • replace

    English

    (Webster 1913)

    Verb

    (replac)
  • To restore to a former place, position, condition, or the like.
    • When you've finished using the telephone, please replace the handset.
    The earl...was replaced in his government. — .
  • To refund; to repay; to restore; as, to replace a sum of money borrowed.
    • You can take what you need from the petty cash, but you must replace it tomorrow morning.
  • To supply or substitute an equivalent for.
    • I replaced my car with a newer model.
    The batteries were dead so I replaced them
  • * '>citation
    • Next Wednesday, four women and 15 men on the Crown Nominations Commission will gather for two days of prayer and horsetrading to replace Rowan Williams as archbishop of Canterbury.
  • To take the place of; to supply the want of; to fulfill the end or office of.
    • This security pass replaces the one you were given earlier.
    This duty of right intention does not replace or supersede the duty of consideration. — .
  • To demolish a building and build an updated form of that building in its place.
  • (rare) To place again.
  • (rare) To put in a new or different place.

    • Usage notes

    The propriety of the use of "replace" instead of "displace", "supersede", or "take the place of", as in the fourth definition, has been disputed on account of etymological discrepancy, but is standard English and universally accepted.

    Derived terms

    * replaceable * replacement

    Related terms

    * eliminate

    Anagrams

    * English transitive verbs ----