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

Because of Hurricane Helene’s rotation when remnants of the storm hit the region, much of the wildfire’s fuel is near those areas of the mountains. —Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2025

The spark on the night of March 6 came from Alawite remnants of the Assad regime, who, from their coastal strongholds, launched attacks on Sunni security forces, reportedly killing 180 men in two hours. —Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Mar. 2025

Adjective

Sheba Abernathy, a resident of Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood, serves as volunteer steward at Superior Street Prairie, a remnant prairie in Calumet City. —Susan Degrane, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025

Joyce weakened due to wind shear on Sept. 28, becoming a tropical depression on Sept. 29 and degenerated into a remnant low on Sept. 30. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 21 Nov. 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