replenish

verb

re·​plen·​ish ri-ˈple-nish 

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 earth

—Genesis 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

ri-ˈple-ni-shə-bəl 

adjective

replenisher noun

replenishment

ri-ˈple-nish-mənt 

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

Four billion dollars are designated to replenish the Iron Dome and David's Sling missile defense systems, with another $1.2 billion for the Iron Beam defense system. —Deirdre Walsh, NPR, 19 Apr. 2024

Understanding vaccination guidelines, the benefits of aerobic and anaerobic exercise, and learning how much sleep is needed to fully rest and replenish your body each night is also important. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024

After months of political wrangling, Ukrainian lawmakers on Thursday passed a mobilization law aimed at replenishing the nation’s exhausted and depleted fighting forces, which are struggling to hold back relentless Russian assaults that are expected to intensify in coming months. —Marc Santora, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024

Meanwhile, hyaluronic acid works to replenish natural moisture levels, and niacinamide helps strengthen the skin barrier and brighten overall complexion. —Danielle Cohen, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2024

While questioning Lee on Wednesday, Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) broached ignoring his requirement to replenish the city’s local fiscal stabilization fund, which functions like a rainy-day fund, to save the teachers’ salary money. —Meagan Flynn, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024

This hand cream, which offers broad-spectrum protection, replenishes moisture with a combination of shea butter and avocado and jojoba oils without leaving a slippery feel. —Deanna Pai, Vogue, 3 Apr. 2024

Its working is explained below in detail: The formula works primarily by providing Prebiotics, or indigestible fibers, to the gut and replenishing probiotics. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

On Earth, the two gases only coexist because the biosphere continuously replenishes them. —Elise Cutts, WIRED, 7 Apr. 2024

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

Kids Definition

replenish

verb

re·​plen·​ish ri-ˈplen-ish 

: to make full or complete once more

replenish a supply of fuel

replenisher noun

replenishment

-mənt 

noun