redundant

adjective

re·​dun·​dant ri-ˈdən-dənt 

1

a

: exceeding what is necessary or normal : superfluous

b

: characterized by or containing an excess

specifically : using more words than necessary

c

: characterized by similarity or repetition

a group of particularly redundant brick buildings

d

chiefly British : no longer needed for a job and hence laid off

2

: profuse, lavish

3

: serving as a duplicate for preventing failure of an entire system (such as a spacecraft) upon failure of a single component

redundantly adverb

Synonyms

• extra
• surplus
• excess
• spare
• superfluous
• unnecessary

Examples of redundant in a Sentence

The drone had originally been designed to go places the Blackbird could not, but it had become redundant on discovery of the fact that there was nowhere the SR-71 could not go in safety … —Tom Clancy, The Cardinal of the Kremlin, 1989

Undoubtedly in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred a witness to an occurrence is someone who has seen it. Therefore, some editors have said, eyewitness is a redundant word and it should be consigned to the dustbin. —Theodore M. Bernstein, Mrs. Thistlebottom's Hobgoblins, 1971

There they sat, grounded upon the ground, silent, uncomplaining, with bowed heads, a pathetic sight. And by hideous contrast, a redundant orator was making a speech to another gathering not thirty steps away … —Mark Twain, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, 1889

He edited the paper and removed any redundant information or statements.

Avoid redundant expressions in your writing.

Some people say that since all adages are old, the phrase “old adage” is redundant.

Recent Examples on the Web

Underly noted significant racial disparities in passage rates and said new requirements for teaching candidates to learn about the science of reading make the expensive test redundant. —Rory Linnane, jsonline.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Today, the robust power infrastructure built to serve K-25 remains available in Oak Ridge, including redundant 161- and 500-kilovolt transmission lines that transect the Clinch River site. —Daniel Stout, IEEE Spectrum, 5 Aug. 2025

After diagnosing where the friction is occurring, business leaders should do a full tech stack audit, cutting redundant tech and prioritizing programs that offer interoperability, the report advises. —Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2025

Officials also said that the partnership will reduce waste and redundant paperwork. —Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin redundant-, redundans, present participle of redundare to overflow — more at redound

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing redundant

• make redundant

Rhymes for redundant

• abundant
• superabundant

Kids Definition

redundant

adjective

re·​dun·​dant ri-ˈdən-dənt 

1

: more than what is necessary or normal

2

: using or having more words than necessary : repetitious

redundantly adverb

Medical Definition

redundant

adjective

re·​dun·​dant ri-ˈdən-dənt 

: characterized by or containing an excess or superfluous amount

redundant pharyngeal tissue