fills; filled; filling
1
a
: to make (something) full
May I fill your glass for you?
fill (up) a glass with water
He told the gas station attendant to fill it/her up. [=to fill the tank of his car with gasoline]
Clothes filled the closet.
She filled her house with antiques.
His massive body filled the doorway.
He has enough books to fill a library.
Two hundred people filled the room.
fill a sheet of paper with writing
Tears filled her eyes. [=she began to cry]
Joy filled her heart. [=she became very joyful]
He filled her head with lies [=he told her many lies] about his military service.
pastries filled with meat = meat-filled pastries
a vase filled with flowers
stadiums filled with cheering fans
The theater was filled to capacity. [=completely full]
Note: If something fills you or fills your heart with an emotion, it makes you feel that emotion very strongly.
b
: to become full
Her eyes filled with tears. [=she began to cry]
Her heart filled with joy. [=she became very joyful]
The rivers have filled and are close to flooding.
The stadium filled more than an hour before the game.
2
: to spread all through (an area, the air, etc.)
Smoke filled the room.
Laughter filled the air.
The smell of fried onions filled the house.
Tension filled the air as we waited for further news.
3
: to spend or use (time)
She likes to fill (up) her day with small chores.
Since he retired he doesn't know how to fill his time.
a fun-filled afternoon [=an afternoon filled with fun; a very enjoyable afternoon]
4
: to make (someone) full with food and drink
—usually + up
foods that won't fill you up
We filled up on sandwiches before leaving for the game.
5
: to place material inside of (a hole, crack, etc.) in order to repair a surface
fill a crack with putty
workers filling potholes
fill a cavity in a tooth = fill a tooth [=put filling in a cavity/tooth]
—often used figurativelyHe's trying to fill the gaps in his record collection. [=trying to get the records he needs to make his collection complete]
These new discoveries will help to fill a gap in our knowledge of how the human body ages.
Some other player will have to fill the void left by his retirement.
6
: to do or provide what is needed for (something)
fill [=fulfill] all requirements
fill a need
7
a
: to perform the work of (an office, position, etc.)
fill [=hold, occupy] the office of president
A new representative will be appointed to fill his vacated seat.
b
: to hire a person for a job that has become available
The company hopes to fill several vacancies in its marketing department.
fill a job opening
8
: to provide the things that are asked for in (something, such as an order)
fill an order
(US) fill a prescription [=(Brit) make up a prescription]
1
: a full amount : all that someone wants or needs
Note: If you have eaten/drunk your fill, you have eaten/drunk all that you want.
Note: If you have had your fill of something, you do not want to do or have any more of it.
2
: material that is used to fill something
They delivered a truckload of fill for the trench.
Cite this Entry
“Fill.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/fill. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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