residual

1 of 2

noun

re·​sid·​u·​al ri-ˈzi-jə-wəl 

-jəl;

-ˈzij-wəl

1

: remainder, residuum: such as

a

: the difference between results obtained by observation and by computation from a formula or between the mean of several observations and any one of them

b

: a residual product or substance

c

: an internal aftereffect of experience or activity that influences later behavior

especially : a disability remaining from a disease or operation

2

: a payment (as to an actor or writer) for each rerun after an initial showing (as of a TV show)

residual

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or constituting a residue

2

: leaving a residue that remains effective for some time

a residual pesticide

residually adverb

Examples of residual in a Sentence

Adjective

She's still dealing with the residual effects of the accident.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The union will cover workers across the guild, including in departments handling residuals, contracts, communications, research and the WGA theater. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 30 Apr. 2025

Now researchers at the University of Maine's Advanced Structures & Composite Center (ASCC) have figured out a way of using those wood residuals to create homes. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2025

Adjective

As damaging the residual 10% tariffs could be for the U.K., others point out the deal could dent U.S. economic growth, too. —Ganesh Rao,chloe Taylor, CNBC, 9 May 2025

Stir pork together with onion and any residual juices in slow cooker. —Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 6 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin residuum residue

First Known Use

Noun

1557, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing residual

• residual oil
• residual power

Rhymes for residual

• decidual
• dividual
• vidual

Kids Definition

residual

1 of 2 adjective

re·​sid·​u·​al ri-ˈzij-(ə-)wəl 

-ˈzij-əl

1

: of, relating to, or being a residue

2

: leaving a residue that is effective for some time afterward

residually

-ē

adverb

residual

2 of 2 noun

: a residual product, substance, or result

Medical Definition

residual

1 of 2 adjective

re·​sid·​u·​al ri-ˈzij-(ə-)wəl, -ˈzij-əl 

1

: of, relating to, or being something that remains: as

a

: remaining after a disease or operation

residual paralysis

b

: remaining in a body cavity after maximum normal expulsion has occurred

residual urine

see residual volume

2

a

: leaving a residue that remains effective for some time after application

residual insecticides

b

: of or relating to a residual insecticide

a residual spray

residual

2 of 2 noun

1

: an internal aftereffect of experience or activity that influences later behavior

2

: a residual abnormality (as a scar or limp)

Legal Definition

residual

adjective

re·​sid·​u·​al

ri-ˈzi-jə-wəl

: of, relating to, or constituting a residue : residuary