Replace

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -eɪs

Origin

Prefix re- + place.

Full definition of replace

Verb

1. (transitive) To restore to a former place, position, condition, or the like.When you've finished using the telephone, please replace the handset.The earl...was replaced in his government. — Francis Bacon.
2. (transitive) To refund; to repay; to restore; as, to replace a sum of money borrowed.You can take what you need from the petty cash, but you must replace it tomorrow morning.
3. (transitive) To supply or substitute an equivalent for.I replaced my car with a newer model.The batteries were dead so I replaced them
• 20 September 2012, Andrew Brown, Archbishop of Canterbury succession race begins in earnestNext Wednesday, four women and 15 men on the Crown Nominations Commission will gather for two days of prayer and horsetrading to replace Rowan Williams as archbishop of Canterbury.
4. (transitive) To take the place of; to supply the want of; to fulfil the end or office of.This security pass replaces the one you were given earlier.This duty of right intention does not replace or supersede the duty of consideration. — William Whewell.
5. (transitive) To demolish a building and build an updated form of that building in its place.
6. (transitive, rare) To place again.
7. (transitive, rare) To put in a new or different place.

Usage notes

The propriety of the use of "replace" instead of "displace", "supersede", or "take the place of", as in the fourth definition, has been disputed on account of etymological discrepancy, but is standard English and universally accepted.

Derived terms

• replaceable
• replacement

Related terms

• eliminate

Anagrams

• percale