remain

1 of 2

verb

re·​main ri-ˈmān 

remained; remaining; remains

intransitive verb

1

a

: to be a part not destroyed, taken, or used up

only a few ruins remain

b

: to be something yet to be shown, done, or treated

it remains to be seen

2

: to stay in the same place or with the same person or group

especially : to stay behind

3

: to continue unchanged

the fact remains that we can't go

remain

2 of 2

noun

1

remains plural : a dead body

2

: a remaining part or trace

—usually used in plural

3

obsolete : stay

Synonyms

Verb

• abide
• dwell
• hang around
• stay
• stick around
• tarry

Noun

• ashes
• debris
• detritus
• flotsam
• residue
• rubble
• ruins
• wreck
• wreckage

Examples of remain in a Sentence

Verb

Little remained after the fire.

Only two minutes still remain in the game.

The question remains: who fired the shot?

She remained in Boston after she finished college.

The soldiers were ordered to remain at their posts.

I remained behind after the class had ended.

He remained with the team.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Instead, the camera remains a sensitive observer of these two people. —Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 30 Apr. 2024

Unlike airplanes, buses, cars, and trains, where a traveler must remain alert (and usually upright) during transit, cruises allow travelers the luxury of going to sleep in one country and waking up in another; and enjoying a sunset cocktail in between. —Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French remaindre, from Latin remanēre, from re- + manēre to remain — more at mansion

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing remain

• remain to be seen
• right to remain silent

Kids Definition

remain

1 of 2 verb

re·​main ri-ˈmān 

1

a

: to be a part not destroyed, taken, or used up

little remained after the fire

b

: to be something yet to be shown, done, or treated

that remains to be seen

2

: to stay in the same place or with the same person or group

especially : to stay behind

3

: to continue unchanged

the weather remained cold

remain

2 of 2 noun

1

: whatever is left over or behind

—usually used in plural

the remains of a meal

2

plural : a dead body