backfill
Elementary (A2)
IPA: /ˈbækˌfɪl/
KK: /ˈbækˌfɪl/
noun
Definition
Material that is used to fill in a hole or an excavated area, often after construction or digging work is completed.
Example
The workers used sand as backfill to level the ground after the pipes were installed.
Conversation
I saw them using backfill at the construction site yesterday.
Really? What do they use it for?
It’s mainly to refill areas where they’ve dug up the ground.
That makes sense! I guess it helps keep everything stable.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
fill
material
earth
Antonyms
void
gap
cavity
transitive verb
Definition
To refill an area that has been dug out, usually with soil or other materials.
Example
The construction crew will backfill the trench after laying the pipes.
Tense Forms
Past: backfilled
Past Participle: backfilled
Conversation
Have you seen the construction site over there?
Yeah, they're going to backfill that area soon.
I wonder what kind of material they will use to backfill it.
Root Explanation
Backfill is formed from "back" (meaning the rear or reverse side) and "fill" (from Old English "fyllan", meaning to make full). The word refers to the act of filling an excavated area with material from the back or rear side.
Memory Tip
Think of filling something from the 'back' — 'back' means the rear, and 'fill' means to make full.
Visually Confused Words
bacilli