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

The folded piece of paper in his wallet was perhaps the most pregnant and inscrutable remnant of all. —Greg Jackson, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024

In geological terms, the hoodoos and holes in the walls are remnants from 50 million years ago when the area was a lake surrounded by rock walls. —Alison Osius, Outside Online, 1 Nov. 2024

Adjective

Related Story Wrangler acquired the White Oak selvedge during the mill’s closure to preserve their neighbor’s high-end remnant fabric. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 18 Oct. 2024

Only three remnant populations of the Balkan subspecies, Lynx lynx balcanicus, remain. —Emily Soreghan, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Oct. 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