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

• balance
• leavings
• leftovers
• odds and ends
• remainder
• remains
• residue
• residuum
• rest

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

What to look for: The interior may contain remnants of an earlier house built on the site in the 1890s. —Arkansas Online, 2 May 2025

Nazar, 13, is on the long road to recovery with support from UNICEF and partners after being badly injured by an explosive remnant of war in eastern Ukraine. —Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025

Adjective

Yes, a few remnant groups of Branch Davidians still exist — including those who remain loyal to Koresh and are still awaiting his resurrection. —Emily Blackwood, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025

Sand grains in a second remnant channel 85 kilometers downstream also dated back 2500 years. —Byeli Kintisch, science.org, 17 June 2024

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