refill

1 of 2

verb

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

transitive verb

: to fill again : replenish

intransitive verb

: to become filled again
refillable
(ˌ)rē-ˈfi-lə-bəl How to pronounce refill (audio)
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
Following a major eruption in 2018 that partly drained one of the underground lava reservoirs, there were indications that it was being steadily refilled. — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 9 Oct. 2026 Reusable glass bottles are refilled in guest rooms every time the room is serviced. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
Starting in 2019, however, the refill accelerated, and the local peak inflated at a rate of more than 22 cm a year. — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 9 Oct. 2026 Read More The compact Keurig K-Express brews single cups of K-Cup coffee pods, with a 48 ounce reservoir for fewer refills. — Brad Bourque, The Verge, 7 Oct. 2026 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

Rhymes for refill

See All Rhymes for refill

Browse Nearby Words

refile
refill
refilm
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Refill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refill. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

refill

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

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