Refill vs Backfill - What's the difference?
refill | backfill |
A filling after the first.
A product containing materials to replace those used up by a piece of equipment.
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 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.
As nouns the difference between refill and backfill
is that refill is a filling after the first while backfill is the material that has been used to refill an excavation.As verbs the difference between refill and backfill
is that refill is to fill up once again while backfill is to refill a hole with the material dug out of it.refill
English
Etymology 1
From + (fill) (noun)Noun
(en noun)- Today it is $2 for a coffee, with free refills throughout the day
- We're cutting back. No new printers or pens, just refills .
Etymology 2
From + (fill) (verb)Anagrams
* English heteronyms ----backfill
English
Verb
(en verb)- The company backfilled Joe's position after he was terminated.