backfill

backfill — verb

IPA/ˈbækfɪl/
IPA/ˈbækfɪl/
  • backfillpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • backfillshe / she / it
  • backfilledpast simple
  • backfilling-ing form

1. to put soil, rocks, gravel, or other material back into a hole, trench, or cavit

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to put soil, rocks, gravel, or other material back into a hole, trench, or cavity that was dug out, often using the same material that was removed from it

例句

After placing the pipe, Darius and his crew backfilled the trench with gravel.

backfill + [hole/space] + with [material]

The mining company must backfill all excavated areas before the land can be used again.

passive: be backfilled after excavation

同義詞
  • refill

    less technical; can apply to containers as well as holes

  • fill in

    more informal and general; 'fill in the hole' is everyday English

反義詞
  • excavate

    the opposite action of digging out material

文法句型

backfill + [hole/excavation] + with + [material]

用法筆記

Frequently used in the passive voice because the focus is often on the completed work rather than who did it.

2. to find and bring in a new worker to do a job after the person who was doing it

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to find and bring in a new worker to do a job after the person who was doing it has left or moved to a different role

例句

The hospital urgently needed to backfill the nursing positions left vacant by the sudden resignations.

backfill + [position/role]

After Rin resigned, the department took three months to backfill her role.

同義詞
  • replace

    broader meaning; 'replace' can mean any substitution, while 'backfill' specifically refers to hiring after a departure

  • fill

    simpler and more general; 'fill a position' is the everyday phrase

文法句型

backfill + [position/role] + with + [person]

用法筆記

Subject is usually an organization or department. 'Position', 'role', 'post', and 'vacancy' are common objects.

backfill — noun

IPA/ˈbæk.fɪl/
IPA/ˈbæk.fɪl/