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

• rest
• remainder

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 first type are white dwarfs, which are the remnants of sun-like stars. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 19 Aug. 2025

The brick building, built in 1882, once served as a bank, hotel, and hospital, providing plenty of remnants of historic charm. —Lauren Jones, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2025

Adjective

Fort Worth can expect precipitation-free conditions for the rest of the day and temperatures in the 80s and 90s thanks to a remnant cloud cover from the storms. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Aug. 2025

Why: Post-Assad, Iran's Hezbollah corridor is disrupted, but Tehran seeks alternatives via remnant militias. —Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025

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