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

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

Many of these workers rely on informal, often unregulated centres that sell and refill cylinders smaller than the standard 14.2kg size.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

These findings support a broader model explaining how magma reservoirs beneath caldera volcanoes refill over time.

From Science Daily • Mar. 29, 2026

Five years ago, state forecasters badly missed their runoff predictions — overestimating the snowmelt expected to refill reservoirs by up to 68%.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

The woman comes around to take my plates and refill our water glasses but Pete waves her off.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee

Related Words

• dressing
• layer
• mixture
• stuffing