filling

UK: ˈfɪlɪŋ | US: ˈfɪlɪŋ

Definition
  1. n. a substance used to fill something (e.g., a dental filling)

  2. n. the act of making something full

  3. adj. satisfying or hearty (e.g., a filling meal)

Structure
fill <to make full>ing <noun/adj. suffix>
Etymology

The word "filling" derives from the Old English "fyllan," meaning "to make full," combined with the suffix "-ing," which forms nouns indicating an action or result (e.g., "building") or adjectives describing a quality (e.g., "interesting"). The root "fill" has Germanic origins, linked to the Proto-Indo-European "*pel-" (to pour, fill). Over time, "filling" evolved to describe both the material used to fill cavities (e.g., in dentistry) and the sensory satisfaction of food.

Examples
  1. The dentist applied a temporary filling to my tooth.

  2. The filling of the balloon with helium took only a few seconds.

  3. She prepared a filling stew for the cold winter night.

  4. The pastry’s sweet filling was made of custard and fruit.

  5. Ensure the filling process is complete before sealing the container.