refill

1 of 2

verb

re·​fill (ˌ)rē-ˈfil 

refilled; refilling; refills

transitive verb

: to fill again : replenish

intransitive verb

: to become filled again

refillable

(ˌ)rē-ˈfi-lə-bəl 

adjective

refill

2 of 2

noun

re·​fill ˈrē-ˌfil 

1

: a product or a container and a product used to refill the exhausted supply of a device

2

: something provided again

especially : a second or later filling of a medical prescription

Examples of refill in a Sentence

Verb

He refilled his glass from the nearby pitcher.

The reservoir will refill once it begins raining.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Reserves acted to dampen price pressure at the start of the war; now the impetus to refill them as the cold months approach could act to accelerate price pressure. — Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 9 July 2026

Tolbert warns that food storage containers with lids should be cleaned regularly to prevent contamination from dust mites and other parasites, especially before refilling. — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026

Noun

The cold water at the kitchen sink is filtered and there are refill stations throughout the property, including at the fitness center, which, incidentally, is filled with new Technogym equipment. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 July 2026

In response to safety concerns, several medications have been removed from the list eligible for refills, including a drug for irregular heartbeats. — ABC News, 6 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1615, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for refill

• gleeful

Kids Definition

refill

1 of 2 verb

re·​fill (ˈ)rē-ˈfil 

: to fill or become filled again

refillable

-ˈfil-ə-bəl 

adjective

refill

2 of 2 noun

re·​fill ˈrē-ˌfil 

: a new or fresh supply of something

a refill for a ball-point pen

Medical Definition

refill

1 of 2 transitive verb

re·​fill (ˈ)rē-ˈfil 

: to fill (a prescription) a second or subsequent time

refill

2 of 2 noun

re·​fill ˈrē-ˌfil 

1

: a replacement in a cavity of removed liquid or other material or a substitution (as of gas) for such material

pneumothorax refill

2

: a prescription compounded and dispensed for a second or subsequent time without an order from the physician