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

• 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

These same groups later carried out many of the grisly sectarian massacres of Alawite civilians along Syria’s coastal Latakia province in March, which killed at least 1,479, mostly civilians, following attacks by remnants of the former Assad regime. —Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025

In the summer of 2025, the Trumps swapped out one of the major remnants of the Kennedys' influence: the central lawn. —Kyler Alvord, People.com, 1 Aug. 2025

Adjective

Fort Worth can expect precipitation-free conditions for the rest of the day and temperatures in the 80s and 90s thanks to a remnant cloud cover from the storms. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Aug. 2025

Why: Post-Assad, Iran's Hezbollah corridor is disrupted, but Tehran seeks alternatives via remnant militias. —Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025

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