Fill

Fill is a term with several related senses. As a verb, it means to make something full by adding material or to occupy the space of a container, cavity, or void. As a noun, fill denotes the material used to occupy space or the act of filling itself.

In construction and earthworks, fill refers to material used to raise land level or to fill a trench or void. Backfill is the process of replacing excavated material behind structures for support and stabilization. Materials range from soil and gravel to engineered aggregates, selected by density and drainage.

In dentistry, a filling is a restorative material placed into a tooth cavity to restore function after decay or damage. Common materials include amalgam and composite resin; newer options emphasize aesthetics, durability, and biocompatibility.

In graphic design and printing, fill describes the interior treatment of a shape, including color, gradient, texture, or pattern. Fill settings may control visibility and rendering, and in vector formats, fill attributes determine how the interior is drawn.

In computing and data handling, fill can describe populating empty fields with a value or completing data structures. Imputation fills missing data in analysis; in user interfaces, fields may be auto-filled with defaults or remembered values to streamline input.

In music, a fill is a short drum flourish used to bridge sections or decorate a phrase, often played by percussion but sometimes by other instruments.