Replaced

/rɪˈpleɪst/

verbBeginnerVery CommonGeneral

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To put something new or different in the place of something old or missing.

/rɪˈpleɪst/

verbneutralBeginner
General

To substitute something for another.

The teacher replaced the old textbooks with updated versions.

💡 Simply: Imagine your favorite toy breaks. Replacing it means getting a brand-new one to play with instead! It's like swapping one thing for another.

👶 For kids: To swap one thing for another thing.

More Examples

2

He replaced his broken watch with a new model.

3

The company replaced the CEO with a younger leader.

How It's Used

General

"The old tires were replaced with new ones."

Technology

"The company replaced its outdated servers with a cloud-based system."

2

To take the position, role, or function of something or someone.

/rɪˈpleɪst/

verbneutralBeginner
General

To take the place of someone or something.

The new machine replaced the manual labor.

💡 Simply: Imagine a soccer game where a player gets hurt. Someone else takes their spot, replacing them on the field. It's like stepping in when someone else has to step out.

👶 For kids: To take someone else's job.

More Examples

2

She was replaced as team lead.

3

The old policy was replaced with a new one.

How It's Used

Employment

"After her retirement, she was replaced by a younger colleague."

Sports

"The injured player was replaced by a substitute."

Tip:Think of one person's place being "re-placed" by another.

Idioms & expressions

replace someone/something with someone/something

To substitute one person or thing for another.

"The company replaced the old computer systems with newer, faster machines."

no replacement for

Indicating that something or someone is unique and irreplaceable.

"There's no replacement for a good night's sleep when you're stressed."

From Middle English replacen, from Old French replacier, from re- (again) + placier (to place).

The word 'replace' has been in use since the 15th century, initially meaning to put back or restore. The sense of substituting one thing for another evolved later.

Memory tip

Think of the old item being "placed again" (re-placed) with a new one.

replasedreplacde

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written