backfill

Meanings

Verb

• To refill a hole with the material dug out of it.
• 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.
• To provide reserve support.
• To replenish or restock due to attrition or loss.

Noun

• The material that has been used to refill an excavation.
• Reserve support personnel.
• That which backfills; a replacement.
• Material in a story set earlier in the past, providing history or context for the current action.

Origin

• From back + fill.