resupply: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, technical, military
Quick answer
What does “resupply” mean?
to provide something again, especially goods or materials that have been used up.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to provide something again, especially goods or materials that have been used up
to replenish or restock something that has been depleted; to furnish with a fresh supply
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or meaning differences. Slightly more common in American military and logistical contexts.
Connotations
Both varieties carry connotations of logistics, planning, and necessity. In British English, it may be slightly more associated with historical/colonial expeditions.
Frequency
More frequent in American English, particularly in news reports about military operations or space missions.
Grammar
How to Use “resupply” in a Sentence
[Subject] resupplies [Object] (with [something])[Subject] resupplies [Recipient] with [Goods][Subject] is resupplied (by [Agent])Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “resupply” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The garrison must be resupplied by helicopter.
- We need to resupply the clinic with bandages and antiseptic.
American English
- The convoy will resupply the forward operating base.
- NASA contracted SpaceX to resupply the space station.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
American English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The resupply mission was delayed by bad weather.
- They established a resupply depot in the valley.
American English
- A resupply ship docked with the orbital laboratory.
- The general approved the resupply plan.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in supply chain management to describe the process of restocking inventory.
Academic
Appears in papers on logistics, military history, and environmental science (e.g., resupply of nutrients).
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Might be used when discussing stocking a remote cabin or a long camping trip.
Technical
Common in military, aerospace (ISS resupply missions), and expedition logistics.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “resupply”
- Using 'resupply' for simple, everyday shopping ('I need to resupply on milk' is overkill). Confusing it with 'reapply'. Incorrect stress: /ˈriː.sʌp.laɪ/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is standard as one word (resupply). The hyphenated form 're-supply' is rare and considered outdated.
Yes, it is commonly used as a noun (e.g., 'The resupply arrived just in time').
They are close synonyms. 'Resupply' often implies an external agent providing the new supply (more logistical), while 'replenish' can be more general and focus on making something full again.
Primarily, yes. It is occasionally used metaphorically (e.g., 'resupply of energy' or 'resupply of ideas'), but this is less common.
to provide something again, especially goods or materials that have been used up.
Resupply is usually formal, technical, military in register.
Resupply: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriː.səˈplaɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriː.səˈplaɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “running on a shoestring and hard to resupply”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a REfilling SUPPLY truck: RE-SUPPLY.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUPPLIES ARE LIFE-BLOOD (resupply is transfusion).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'resupply' LEAST likely to be used?