What does "replacement" mean?

1. (a substitute person or thing) a person or thing that takes the place of someone or something else. 2. (the act of substituting) the act of putting something new in the place of something old or broken. 3. (crystal structure) a change in the shape of a crystal where one part is removed and replaced by a flat surface.

replacement

US //ɹɪˈpɫeɪsmənt// UK //ɹɪplˈeɪsmənt// re·place·ment

1 a substitute person or thing (n.)
B1 Intermediate

a person or thing that takes the place of someone or something else.

a person or object that serves as a substitute for another that has been removed, lost, or worn out.

Example

The team had to find a replacement for their star player after he got injured.

Example

The HR department is currently interviewing candidates to find a suitable replacement for the outgoing marketing director.
- original
2 the act of substituting (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the act of putting something new in the place of something old or broken.

the process or action of substituting one thing or person for another.

Example

The replacement of the old windows took three days to finish.

Example

The gradual replacement of manual labour with automated systems has significantly altered the local economy over the last decade.
- preservation
- maintenance

Show 1 more senseShow fewer

3 crystal structure (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Science

a change in the shape of a crystal where one part is removed and replaced by a flat surface.

the removal of an edge or angle of a crystal and its substitution by one or more planes.

Example

The geologist explained how the replacement of the crystal's edge occurred during its formation.

Example

In crystallography, the replacement of a primitive edge by a secondary plane provides insight into the mineral's growth conditions.

Origin

From replace + -ment.