v. & n.
--v.
1. tr. & intr. (often foll. by with) make or become full.
2 tr. occupy completely; spread over or through; pervade.
3 tr. block up (a cavity or hole in a tooth) with cement, amalgam, gold, etc.; drill and put a filling into (a decayed tooth).
4 tr. appoint a person to hold (a vacant post).
5 tr. hold (a position); discharge the duties of (an office).
6 tr. carry out or supply (an order, commission, etc.).
7 tr. occupy (vacant time).
8 intr. (of a sail) be distended by wind.
9 tr. (usu. as filling adj.) (esp. of food) satisfy, satiate.
10 tr. Poker etc. complete (a holding) by drawing the necessary cards.
11 tr. stock abundantly.
--n.
1. (prec. by possessive) as much as one wants or can bear (eat your fill).
2 enough to fill something (a fill of tobacco).
3 earth etc. used to fill a cavity.
Phrases and idioms:
fill the bill be suitable or adequate. fill in
1. add information to complete (a form, document, blank cheque, etc.).
2 a complete (a drawing etc.) within an outline. b fill (an outline) in this way.
3 fill (a hole etc.) completely.
4 (often foll. by for) act as a substitute.
5 occupy oneself during (time between other activities).
6 colloq. inform (a person) more fully.
7 sl. thrash, beat.
fill out
1. enlarge to the required size.
2 become enlarged or plump.
3 US fill in (a document etc.).
fill up
1. make or become completely full.
2 fill in (a document etc.).
3 fill the petrol tank of (a car etc.).
4 provide what is needed to occupy vacant parts or places or deal with deficiencies in.
5 do away with (a pond etc.) by filling. fill-up n. a thing that fills something up.
Etymology: OE fyllan f. Gmc, rel. to FULL(1)