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

Mexican media outlets have identified Huerta as an alleged leader of a remnant cell of the once-powerful Arellano Félix Organization. —Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025

Some of this remnant material clumps together into planets, the way Earth likely formed. —Gayoung Lee, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 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