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

At the book’s conclusion, looking far into a post-apocalyptic future, Jacobsen compels us to consider what future generations—or the remnants of humanity, should any survive a nuclear war—might think of a civilization that took 12,000 years to build but just 72 hours to destroy itself. —Michael Sheldrick, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024

Haynes relies on photographs, clips from tangentially relevant ephemeral films and soundless remnants shot by mentor/facilitator Andy Warhol, a strategy that can be distracting and rewarding in turns. —Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Syrian rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani vowed to dissolve the Assad regime's remnant security forces as well as close prisons that had been used to house political dissidents. —Anders Hagstrom, Fox News, 12 Dec. 2024

It's believed that by the 1930s all wolves in the Lower 48 were gone except for one remnant population in northern Minnesota. —Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 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