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 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

Clean Mirrors If there are fingerprints and toothpaste remnants dotting your mirror, grab a Swiffer, glass cleaner, and a microfiber cloth. —Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026

Vacant Kmart buildings have been a headache for various municipalities in the county and around the region going back decades — even before its 2002 bankruptcy — as communities try to figure out what to do with the last remnants of the once-massive retailer. —Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026

Adjective

By then, only a remnant population of them existed along the gulf coast of Texas and Louisiana. —Ashley Soebroto, Houston Chronicle, 4 Apr. 2026

This image depicts the supernova remnant SN 185, found some 8,000 light-years away from Earth in the direction of the sun's closest sibling, the triple star Alpha Centauri. —Brett Tingley, Space.com, 27 Mar. 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