backfill

present singular third person backfills · participle present backfilling · participle past backfilled · past backfilled · alternative back-fill

1. To refill a hole with the material dug out of it.

   Clay excavated for the new river channel has been used to backfill the old watercourse, while embankment vegetation was also moved from the old channel to the new in order to preserve a habitat for the rare Four Spotted Moths that live there.

   2020 April 8, Paul Stephen, “ECML dive-under drives divergence”, in Rail, page 43

2. archaeologyTo refill an excavation unit to restore the former ground surface and/or to preserve the unit and make it recognizable as having been excavated.

   We backfilled the cistern with pea gravel to discourage its use as a refuse container.

3. USTo provide reserve support.
4. USTo replenish or restock due to attrition or loss.

   The company backfilled Joe's position after he was terminated.

5. gamesTo enter an online game that's already in progress, replacing a player who left early.

plural backfills · alternative back-fill

1. countableuncountableThe material that has been used to refill an excavation.
2. UScountableuncountableReserve support personnel.
3. UScountableuncountableThat which backfills; a replacement.
4. countableuncountableliteratureMaterial in a story set earlier in the past, providing history or context for the current action.