residual

noun re·sid·u·al \ ri-ˈzi-jə-wəl , -jəl ; -ˈzij-wəl \

Updated on: 11 Apr 2018

Definition of residual

1 : remainder, residuum: such as

a : the difference between results obtained by observation and by computation from a formula or between the mean of several observations and any one of them

b : a residual product or substance

c : an internal aftereffect of experience or activity that influences later behavior; especially : a disability remaining from a disease or operation

2 : a payment (as to an actor or writer) for each rerun after an initial showing (as of a TV show)

Recent Examples of residual from the Web

Additional liabilities totaling between $55 million and $65 million were discovered, including $27 million in unpaid residuals and profit participation; and $20 million in accounts payable.

— brooks barnes, New York Times, "Planned Sale of the Weinstein Company Collapses Again," 6 Mar. 2018
Coal ash -- or coal combustion residuals -- is the material left after burning coal, primarily at electric power plants.

— dennis pillion, AL.com, "Alabama's proposed coal ash plan has too many loopholes, critics say," 22 Mar. 2018
Coal combustion residuals, commonly called coal ash, are the remnants leftover after burning coal for electricity.

— dennis pillion, AL.com, "Alabama Power fined $1.25 million over coal ash ponds," 2 Mar. 2018
That same month director Kevin Smith donated his residuals on movies backed by Harvey Weinstein to the nonprofit Women in Film, which advocates for women in entertainment.

— patrick shanley, The Hollywood Reporter, "Timothee Chalamet Donates Salary From Woody Allen Film to Time's Up Fund," 16 Jan. 2018
Ultimately Monte accepted a $1 million settlement and some residuals, but couldn’t seem to get other projects off the ground after that.

— nina metz, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago as seen on TV: The good, the bad and the 'Why is this show even set here?'," 25 Jan. 2018
The pair has agreed to split some of Baccarin’s residuals for numerous projects, including Deadpool (2015), Gotham (season 1), Malevelent (2105) and The Good Wife (2012-13).

— natalie stone, PEOPLE.com, "Morena Baccarin Settles Custody Battle with Ex-Husband Austin Chick," 9 Jan. 2018
The actor says in the three years since that loan agreement he's earned $32 million in residuals but hasn't received a penny because of the structure of that deal, which prioritizes payments to Bloom Hergott and TMG ahead of loan payments to Tryon.

— ashley cullins, The Hollywood Reporter, "Johnny Depp Countersued by Ex-Law Firm Bloom Hergott," 18 Dec. 2017
The Irish will need help from residuals to jump Red Bank Catholic for the No. 5 seed and earn a trip to St. John Vianney as opposed to a visit to St. Joseph Montvale.

— phil anastasia, Philly.com, "Breaking down the S.J. football playoff races," 31 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'residual.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of residual

Latin residuum residue

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1557

See Words from the same year

Other Broadcasting Terms

continuity, dissolve, fade, feed, remote, spike, wipe

residual

adjective

Definition of residual

1 : of, relating to, or constituting a residue

2 : leaving a residue that remains effective for some time

a residual pesticide

—

residually

adverb

See residual defined for English-language learners

See residual defined for kids

Examples of residual in a Sentence

She's still dealing with the residual effects of the accident.

Recent Examples of residual from the Web

British police investigators say the highest concentration of residual nerve agent was found at Skripal’s front door in the quiet town of Salisbury, down the road from the Stonehenge ruins.

— Washington Post, "Weeks after poisoning attack, Yulia and Sergei Skripal are in stable condition," 6 Apr. 2018
There’s a cloud of residual guilt hanging over Regan, tied to the prologue.

— michael phillips, chicagotribune.com, "'A Quiet Place' review: Hush, little family, don't say a word or the monsters will get you," 5 Apr. 2018
Laboratory tests found 100 parts per billion of residual chlorine on Feb. 20.

— don behm, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "MMSD penalizes Veolia Water Milwaukee for discharge violations at Jones Island sewage plant," 27 Mar. 2018
Our Best-Ever Barbecued Ribs get the low and slow treatment in the oven before they are finished on the grill and basted with the perfect combo of sauce and residual roasting juices.

— alexia foods, Bon Appetit, "3 Crunchy, Delicious Sides That Totally Steal the Show," 19 Mar. 2018
Any residual gains are a byproduct of having a good understanding of the market or working with a talented agent who does.

— rebecca maitland, Houston Chronicle, "Realtor of the Week: Kyle Mikulenka helps buyers find perfect location, dream home," 24 Mar. 2018
Trash collections have resumed with residual delays.

— joseph a. gambardello, Philly.com, "Philadelphia weather: Latest updates from the day after the storm," 22 Mar. 2018
Commuter railroads, including Metro-North, New Jersey Transit and Long Island Rail Road, are expected to run on regular schedules Thursday with residual delays.

— New York Times, "Snowstorm Pummels Eastern Seaboard," 22 Mar. 2018
Her eyebrows arched above expressive eyes, and her brow, despite the residual puffiness, was smooth.

— jane mayer, The New Yorker, "The Story of a Trans Woman’s Face," 12 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of residual

1570

RESIDUAL Defined for English Language Learners

residual

adjective

Definition of residual for English Language Learners

: remaining after a process has been completed or something has been removed

Medical Dictionary

residual

adjective re·sid·u·al \ ri-ˈzij-(ə-)wəl, -ˈzij-əl \

medical Definition of residual

1 : of, relating to, or being something that remains: as

a : remaining after a disease or operation

residual paralysis

b : remaining in a body cavity after maximum normal expulsion has occurred

residual urine

— see residual volume

2 a : leaving a residue that remains effective for some time after application

residual insecticides

b : of or relating to a residual insecticide

a residual spray

residual

noun

medical Definition of residual

1 : an internal aftereffect of experience or activity that influences later behavior

2 : a residual abnormality (as a scar or limp)

Law Dictionary

residual

adjective re·sid·u·al \ ri-ˈzi-jə-wəl \

legal Definition of residual

: of, relating to, or constituting a residue : residuary

Learn More about residual

Spanish Central: Translation of residual Nglish: Translation of residual for Spanish speakers

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residual

Definition of residual

Recent Examples of residual from the Web

Origin and Etymology of residual

Other Broadcasting Terms

residual

Definition of residual

residually

Examples of residual in a Sentence

Recent Examples of residual from the Web

First Known Use of residual

RESIDUAL Defined for English Language Learners

residual

Definition of residual for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

residual

medical Definition of residual

residual

medical Definition of residual

Law Dictionary

residual

legal Definition of residual

Learn More about residual

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