replace

American

[ri-pleys] / rɪˈpleɪs /

verb (used with object)

replaced, replacing

to assume the former role, position, or function of; substitute for (a person or thing).

Electricity has replaced gas in lighting.

Synonyms:

succeed
to provide a substitute or equivalent in the place of.

to replace a broken dish.
to restore; return; make good.

to replace a sum of money borrowed.

Synonyms:

repay, refund
to restore to a former or the proper place.

to replace the vase on the table.

replace British

/ rɪˈpleɪs /

verb

to take the place of; supersede

the manual worker is being replaced by the machine
to substitute a person or thing for (another which has ceased to fulfil its function); put in place of

to replace an old pair of shoes
to put back or return; restore to its rightful place

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

Replace, supersede, supplant refer to putting one thing or person in place of another. To replace is to take the place of, to succeed: Ms. Jones will replace Mr. Smith as president. Supersede implies that that which is replacing another is an improvement: The computer has superseded the typewriter. Supplant implies that that which takes the other's place has ousted the former holder and usurped the position or function, especially by art or fraud: to supplant a former favorite.

Other Word Forms

nonreplaceable adjective
quasi-replaced adjective
replaceability noun
replaceable adjective
replacer noun
unreplaceable adjective
unreplaced adjective
well-replaced adjective

Etymology

Origin of replace

First recorded in 1585–95; re- + place

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At dusk they were checked into their rooms, and by dawn’s early light they were gone, only to be replaced at the dinner hour by more recruits.

From The Wall Street Journal

However, it is understood Dyche would seek a minimum 18-month contract if he was to replace Tudor, which could prove a stumbling block towards any agreement.

From BBC

At some stage, where the heat will be a factor, I could envisage Harry Kane playing around an hour and Bellingham coming on to replace him.

From BBC

It is set to be replaced by the new £26m vessel Royal Daffodil later this year.

From BBC

Many are fed up with the one-party political system, but debate what might replace it.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023