backfill

verb

back·​fill ˈbak-ˌfil 

backfilled; backfilling; backfills

transitive + intransitive

: to refill (something, such as an excavation) usually with excavated material

backfill a trench

backfill noun

Examples of backfill in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

To backfill Dallas' spot on the practice squad, the Vikings brought in veteran running back Jerome Ford, whom the Vikings faced last season against the Cleveland Browns in London. — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

McMahon has acknowledged the department had to hire more people to backfill or reinstate some of those who were fired. — Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

Some have also announced plans to backfill the federal funding for these patients, but that could be difficult, says Keith at Georgetown. — Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026

Lamont, a fiscal moderate hoping to win a third term this fall, has cautioned that Connecticut cannot backfill all federal cuts. — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for backfill

• anthill
• bluegill
• crossbill
• distil
• distill
• downhill
• dunghill
• foothill
• fulfil
• fulfill
• goodwill
• gristmill