replenish

verb

re·​plen·​ish ri-ˈple-nish How to pronounce replenish (audio)
replenished; replenishing; replenishes

transitive verb

1
: to fill or build up again
replenish a supply of fuel
… London's population was continually being replenished with recruits from the countryside …Barbara A. Hanawalt
… most of her income will be used to replenish the family's almost-depleted savings.Louis Uchitelle
… the fields are rotated every three years with other crops … so that the soil can replenish itself and remain nitrogen rich.Eugenia Bone
Apparently, animals sleep to regulate body temperature, organize memories and replenish the immune system …Sandra Blakeslee
2
a
: to fill with persons or animals
… be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earthGenesis 1:28 (Authorized Version)
b
: to fill with inspiration or power : nourish
… the American mind should cease to replenish itself with the mighty wonders of Europe …Van Wyck Brooks
c
archaic : to supply fully : perfect
… his hive had so long been replenished with honey …William Wordsworth
… the most replenished villain in the world …William Shakespeare
replenishable adjective
replenisher noun
replenishment noun

Examples of replenish in a Sentence

An efficient staff of workers replenished the trays of appetizers almost as quickly as guests emptied them. He replenished his supply of wood in preparation for the winter. Drink this—you need to replenish your fluids after your hike. plants that replenish soil nutrients
Recent Examples on the Web This fragrance-free formula focuses on replenishing moisture with its heavy-hitting mix of lipids, squalane, glycerin, urea, and amino acids, which the brand labels as its hydro lipid blend. Sarah Han, Allure, 30 Sep. 2024 Liquid cooling can only do so much, though Can-Am claims that the battery can manage replenishing from 20 percent to 80 percent in only 50 minutes at a max rate of 6.6 kw using a Level 1 or Level 2 charger. Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2024 Its powerful vibrations can revitalize and replenish Libra's sparkling spirit. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 27 Sep. 2024 The serum will work to reduce redness, replenish your skin’s moisture, and add incredible radiance to your skin. Rebecca Martinson, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for replenish 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'replenish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English replenyssen, replenisshen "to fill, provide (with food and drink), populate," borrowed from Anglo-French repleniss-, stem of replenir "to fill, make full, refill" (also continental Old French), from re- re- + -plenir, verbal derivative of plein "full," going back to Latin plēnus — more at full entry 1

Note: In French this verb is apparently derived independently from plenir "to fill" (see plenish), which is attested later and in a very restricted geographical area. In Middle French replenir competed unsuccessfully with remplir, which effectually replaced it in Modern French.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of replenish was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near replenish

Cite this Entry

“Replenish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/replenish. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

replenish

verb
re·​plen·​ish ri-ˈplen-ish How to pronounce replenish (audio)
: to make full or complete once more
replenish a supply of fuel
replenisher noun
replenishment noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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