remnant

1 of 2

noun

rem·​nant ˈrem-nənt 

1

a

: a usually small part, member, or trace remaining

b

: a small surviving group

—often used in plural

2

: an unsold or unused end of piece goods

remnant

2 of 2

adjective

: still remaining

Synonyms

Noun

• balance
• leavings
• leftovers
• odds and ends
• remainder
• remains
• residue
• residuum
• rest

Examples of remnant in a Sentence

Noun

Remnants go on sale next week.

sailed home with just a remnant of the colony's original population aboard

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But now, the 1200 building, which contained the bloody and heartbreaking remnants of the massacre, is being demolished. —Alaa Elassar, CNN, 14 June 2024

Officials at Mount Vernon said Thursday that archaeologists have unearthed 27 more bottles containing the remnants of cherries and assorted berries that were stored about 250 years ago in the basement of George Washington’s mansion on the Potomac River. —Michael E. Ruane, Washington Post, 14 June 2024

Adjective

Sources said those targeted in the shootings were linked to a remnant cell of the Arellano Félix Organization, or AFO, a cartel that once dominated Tijuana before the group was largely dismantled more than a decade ago by federal authorities in San Diego. —Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024

She’s also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia — or long-lasting, pervasive pain throughout the body — and ovarian remnant syndrome. —Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, contraction of remenant, from Anglo-French remanant, from present participle of remaindre to remain — more at remain entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1550, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

remnant

noun

rem·​nant

ˈrem-nənt

1

: a surviving usually small part

remnants of a great civilization

2

: something that remains or is left over

a remnant of cloth