replace

Etymology

re- + place

verb

  1. (transitive) To restore to a former place, position, condition, etc.; to put back
    When you've finished using the telephone, please replace the handset.
    The earl...was replaced in his government. 1622, Francis Bacon, History of the Reign of King Henry VII
    Network Rail doesn't expect the line through Carmont to open for around a month, as it faces the mammoth task of recovering the two power cars and four coaches from ScotRail's wrecked train, repairing bridge 325, stabilising earthworks around the landslip, and replacing the track. August 26 2020, “Network News: Mid-September before line reopens, says Network Rail”, in Rail, page 10
  2. (transitive) To refund; to repay; to pay back
    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
  4. (transitive) To take over the position or role from.
    Next 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. 20 September 2012, Andrew Brown, “Archbishop of Canterbury succession race begins in earnest”, in The Guardian (online)
  5. (transitive) To take the place of; to be used instead 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. 1845, William Whewell, The Elements of Morality: Including Polity
  6. (transitive) To demolish (a building) and build an updated form of that building in its place.
  7. (transitive, rare) To place again.
    During the bench press, it is prohibited in any federation to lift your butt from contact with the bench after you have started a bona fide attempt to perform the lift. Once you unrack the bar and begin descending it to your chest, your butt must stay in contact with the bench until you replace the bar on the rack. 2022-02-02, Adam Gardner, “Why Do Powerlifters Wear Singlets? (5 Reasons Explained)”, in Avi Silberberg, editor, Powerlifting Technique
  8. (transitive, rare) To put in a new or different place.

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