replacement

[ri-pleys-muhnt]

noun

1. the act of replacing.

2. a person or thing that replaces another.

   summer replacements for vacationing staff; a replacement for a broken dish.

3. Military.,  a sailor, soldier, or airman assigned to fill a vacancy in a military unit.

4. Also called metasomatism. Geology.,  the process of practically simultaneous removal and deposition by which a new mineral grows in the body of an old one.

replacement

/ rɪˈpleɪsmənt /

noun

1. the act or process of replacing

2. a person or thing that replaces another

3. geology the growth of a mineral within another of different chemical composition by gradual simultaneous deposition and removal

4. Also called: petrification. a process of fossilization by gradual substitution of mineral matter for the original organic matter

Other Word Forms

• nonreplacement noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of replacement¹

First recorded in 1780–90; replace + -ment

Example Sentences

Voters can choose to have a vote-by-mail ballot sent to the residence of a family member or friend, a post office box, or your place of employment by completing a replacement ballot request.

From Los Angeles Times

He said there would be a gradual implementation, with some changes not made until "end of life or use" replacements are required.

From BBC

When private utilities are at fault, the resulting payouts can make it easier to construct a replacement.

From Los Angeles Times

Given that the Times analysis designated 162 mobile homes as destroyed, the analysis was adjusted to count the 132 replacement apartment units.

From Los Angeles Times

A partnership between the landowner, the city and for- and nonprofit developers led to plans for more than 400 apartments on the site, including full replacement of 162 units for low-income seniors.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• reinstatement 
• restoration 
• stand-in