English

Alternative forms

• back-fill

Verb

backfill ‎(third-person singular simple present backfills, present participle backfilling, simple past and past participle backfilled)

1. To refill a hole with the material dug out of it.
2. (archaeology) To 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. (US) To provide reserve support.
4. (US) To replenish or restock due to attrition or loss.

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

Noun

backfill ‎(countable and uncountable, plural backfills)

1. The material that has been used to refill an excavation.
2. (US) Reserve support personnel.
3. (US) That which backfills; a replacement.
4. (literature) Material in a story set earlier in the past, providing history or context for the current action.

Derived terms

• backfill bias