remnant

1 of 2

noun

rem·​nant ˈrem-nənt How to pronounce remnant (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Sarah and McMahon moved their family to Florence for a year during production, immersing themselves in the remnants of da Vinci’s world. Hunter Ingram, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024 New Orleans could get up to 8 inches of rain within 24 hours as the remnants of Tropical Storm Sara interact with an approaching cold front, the National Weather Service says. Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 18 Nov. 2024
Adjective
In the early 2000s research showed that the amphibian chytrid fungus – a global scourge – had arrived in the Sierra Nevada and began wiping out many of the last of the remnant frog populations. Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 16 Nov. 2024 Related Story Wrangler acquired the White Oak selvedge during the mill’s closure to preserve their neighbor’s high-end remnant fabric. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for remnant 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of remnant was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near remnant

Cite this Entry

“Remnant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/remnant. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on remnant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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