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 plural

2

: an unsold or unused end of piece goods

remnant

2 of 2

adjective

: still remaining

Synonyms of remnant

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

Such elements could also be created when two massive and dense stellar remnants called neutron stars collide and merge. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2026

The death toll from Hurricane Simon and the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel rose to six Tuesday after heavy rains triggered flooding and landslides along Mexico's Pacific coast, authorities said. — CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

Adjective

It will likely be downgraded to a tropical storm on Saturday and just a remnant low pressure area later in the weekend. — Terry Eliasen, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

After dissipating, some of the storm’s remnant moisture then traveled into parts of New Mexico and West Texas, bringing heavy rainfall to the region. — Newsroom Meteorologist, San Antonio Express-News, 30 Sep. 2026

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