infill

noun

in·​fill ˈin-ˌfil 

1

: material that fills in something (such as a hole or the spaces between a building's structural members)

volcanic infill

fiberglass infill

The artificial turf being used contains infill that is made from recycled tires …

—Greg Fitzpatrick

It's framed with hand-hewn cypress posts and beams, though instead of … brick infill … the walls are formed from … a mixture of mud, moss, and animal hair that was once used by native Americans living in the area.

—Amy R. Hughes

2

: new buildings constructed in the space available between existing structures

Urban infill, a big theme these days in city planning, is essentially the opposite of "urban sprawl." As cities grow, planners are looking for ways to pack more people into places that are already developed.

—Franklyn Cater

—often used before another noun

St. Louis must be the infill capital of the nation. Liberally scattered over the city, especially in the older parts, you see clumps and blocks of new apartments, condominia and row houses tucked in among centenarian neighbors.

—E. F. Porter

infill housing

infill verb, transitive + intransitive

infilled; infilling

… it was easier to achieve the vaults themselves by building them of a framework of ribs infilled with webs.

—James F. O'Gorman

Stump holes can be expected to infill with material from the pit walls and immediate vicinity …

—Jonathan D. Phillips et al.

Examples of infill in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Turf, which is made from thousands of synthetic fibers and crumb plastic infills, is quickly becoming America’s go-to field material for its ability to provide a smoother, year-round surface at a lower maintenance cost than grass. —Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2024

The offerings are spread across many locations, ranging from suburban golf course communities to urban infill communities. —Joe Cornell, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024

This includes prioritizing infill development, promoting mixed-use developments and encouraging the construction of affordable housing units. —Heather McRea, Orange County Register, 4 Oct. 2024

Protect existing single-family neighborhoods with residential infill guidelines that ensure new houses are designed to fit in with their surroundings. —Jordan Smith, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined at sense 1