replenish
Americanverb (used with object)
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replenishes,
present (3rd person singular)
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replenished,
past participle, past
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replenishing
present participle
-
to make full or complete again, as by supplying what is lacking, used up, etc..
to replenish one's stock of food.
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to supply (a fire, stove, etc.) with fresh fuel.
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to fill again or anew.
verb
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to make full or complete again by supplying what has been used up or is lacking
-
to put fresh fuel on (a fire)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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replenishsimple
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replenishessimple
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have replenishedperfect
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has replenishedperfect
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am replenishingprogressive
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are replenishingprogressive
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is replenishingprogressive
-
have been replenishingperfect progressive
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has been replenishingperfect progressive
Past
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replenishedsimple
-
had replenishedperfect
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was replenishingprogressive
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were replenishingprogressive
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had been replenishingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of replenish
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English replenisshen, from Middle French repleniss-, long stem of replenir “to fill,” Old French, equivalent to re- re- + plenir “to fill” (derivative of plein, from Latin plēnus full 1 )
Explanation
To replenish something is to refill it. If you have a pet pooch, you’re probably obligated to replenish his food bowl to avoid being barked at incessantly. Use replenish when talking about something valuable or desirable, such as money or food. For example, you might discuss replenishing your bank account, but you wouldn’t speak of replenishing a trash can. You can also use replenish in a joking way to show that something is of value to you; by noting that the jar of jellybeans on your desk needs to be replenished, you indicate that you require jellybeans to survive your day at the office. We get that.
Vocabulary lists containing replenish
100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know
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Essential Academic Vocabulary for Middle School Students, List 5
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The Hobbit
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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.
See Examples For:
Pentagon officials are working to enlist other manufacturers, including automakers and their suppliers, to team with weapons makers to replenish military supplies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026
Canada offered support Thursday to boost Ukraine's air defenses and help replenish its drone stocks, as the countries pledged to deepen their alliance during a visit by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 2026
But ramping up missile production won’t immediately replenish the stockpile.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 6, 2026
The burning ambition remains, however, as proved by the manner in which they have attacked the market to replenish their squad for a title tilt.
From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026
For the Solidarity Service had given as well as taken, drawn off only to replenish.
From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley
"But then these lines reconnect and the Sun replenishes the lost energy back within hours," he adds.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
It could also test whether frequent comet activity replenishes the dust, a process studied by Steward researcher Virginie Faramaz-Gorka, who is also a co-author on the paper.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 17, 2025
“Because of opening up the water to flow out here, it just replenishes the water source,” Lomelí-Gil said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 20, 2024
A resource that naturally replenishes over time and is derived from solar, water or wind power is considered renewable.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 27, 2023
He rewards them for their kindness with a basket full of fresh bread and butter that magically replenishes itself and a hollow stone with a flame inside that never burns out.
From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish
A carrier can also be replenished by air, but aircraft cannot carry as many supplies as ships.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
“Pumping more groundwater than is sustainably replenished is not only negligent, but dangerous to the American Desert Southwest,” he said in the joint statement with other opponents of the project.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026
"I think England plays more of a favourite's role, whereas Scotland is more of an underdog, so I think it'll be a little bit different," added Brandon, who has now replenished his stocks of beer.
From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026
All of that helped to keep physical oil supply shortages at a minimum, even as global inventories have declined and need to be replenished.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 18, 2026
She was replenished by the same thing that amused my dad.
From "Everything Sad Is Untrue" by Daniel Nayeri
Slow waves are a major feature of deep sleep -- the stage associated with physical recovery, replenishing energy reserves, and maintaining healthy brain function.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026
It would also have to cover things like paying for vacations, replenishing an emergency fund if it’s been tapped, and setting aside money in a health savings or college account.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026
We’re meant to understand this as a kind of replenishing.
From Salon ● Sep. 3, 2026
Blood has a shelf life of 35 days, so stocks need constant replenishing.
From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026
I had two goals now: getting to the hunting trail and replenishing my water.
From "Endangered" by Eliot Schrefer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
