refill

American  

[ree-fil, ree-fil] / riˈfɪl, ˈriˌfɪl /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to fill again.

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noun

1. a material, supply, or the like, to replace something that has been used up.

   a refill for a prescription.

refill British  

verb

1. to fill (something) again

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noun

1. a replacement for a consumable substance in a permanent container

2. a second or subsequent filling

   a refill at the petrol station

3. informal another drink to replace one already drunk

Other Word Forms

• nonrefillable adjective
• refillable adjective
• unrefilled adjective

Etymology

Origin of refill

First recorded in 1680–90; re- + fill

Explanation

To refill is to fill something again, the way you refill your motorcycle's gas tank or refill your cat's water bowl when you notice it's almost empty. You can also refill a prescription, by going to the pharmacy and getting another month's worth of medication. The bottle of pills itself can also be called a refill. People commonly use this word as a noun for the act of filling up, too: "Hey, grab that waiter and ask for a refill on the Cokes!"

Example Sentences

Day and night, drivers queue for hours for the chance to refill fuel tanks, as import-dependent Bangladesh grapples with shortages due to the Middle East war.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

Experts say they don’t expect lakes Mead and Powell to refill in our lifetimes.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

Exxon, Chevron, Shell, BP and TotalEnergies are looking closely at new drilling prospects in Africa, South America and the eastern Mediterranean that could refill their reserves for the next decade.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

It is not practical for everyone to drive long distances — and then possibly encounter long lines — to refill their tanks at lower prices.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

“Whoopsie,” Theo says, taking the cup from me to refill.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

• dressing
• layer
• mixture
• stuffing