English Explanatory Dictionary

backfill

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To refill a hole with the material dug out of it.
  2. 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.
  3. To provide reserve support.
  4. To replenish or restock due to attrition or loss.
  5. To enter an online game that's already in progress, replacing a player who left early.
noun
  1. The material that has been used to refill an excavation.
  2. Reserve support personnel.
  3. That which backfills; a replacement.
  4. Material in a story set earlier in the past, providing history or context for the current action.

Pronunciation

/ˈbækfɪl/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-backfill.wav

Word forms

backfill backfills backfilling backfilled back-fill

Etymology

From back + fill.

Derived words

backfill bias
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