residual

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

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

Those numbers don't count the residuals from anglers across the country who follow the tournament trails closely and want to visit those destinations.

— todd masson, NOLA.com, "BASS prohibition must spur change to Louisiana's ridiculous water-access policy," 11 Aug. 2017
Testing was done for one week in 2016 and the level of carboxy-THC, a residual of the chief psychoactive component of cannabis, in Seattle wastewater appears to be the among the highest detected in the world.

— bob young, The Seattle Times, "Drug-use deaths hit record in King County," 10 Aug. 2017
The comedy, which also starred Danielle Fishel, left; Rider Strong, right; and William Daniels, is so beloved, the residuals will probably pay for his retirement.

— lisa respers france, CNN, "Hanson's 25th anniversary tour means you're old," 4 July 2017
And the awkwardness doesn't stop with the credits: there's the question of whether Lord and Miller will forfeit their right to receive residuals or backend box-office profits—and whether the pair will even be welcome at the premiere.

— emma dibdin, Esquire, "The Fired Young Han Solo Directors May Not Be Credited on the Movie," 22 June 2017
Keeping the residuals from the beans and tomatoes in the pan, add another 2 healthy glugs of olive oil and warm over medium heat, until the oil is all nice and shiny.

— alex delany, Bon Appetit, "Fun Time Toast Is the Single Skillet Dinner We All Need," 4 May 2017
A new residual is payable for licenses to such services.

— jonathan handel, The Hollywood Reporter, "WGA Deal Decoded: Big TV Gains But Movie Writers Have Less to Celebrate," 3 May 2017
The sides agreed on provisions to make up for shorter TV seasons – an issue since the advent of streaming services – and a 15 percent increase in pay television residuals, according to a memo to writers on the Writers Guild of America website.

— brendan o'brien, The Christian Science Monitor, "Tentative deal reached to avoid writers' strike in Hollywood," 2 May 2017
Mr. Schallert was president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1979 to 1981, a bitter period in its history highlighted by a protracted 1980 strike over rates and residuals for cable and satellite television and home video.

— james endrst, New York Times, "William Schallert, a familiar presence on prime-time television for decades, notably as the long-suffering father and uncle to the “identical cousins” played by Patty Duke on the hit 1960s sitcom “The Patty Duke Show,” died on Sunday in Pacific Palisades, Calif. He was 93.," 9 May 2016

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

The chancellor began a 50-stop tour last week and quickly faced disruption by anti-immigration demonstrators, a reminder that the refugee crisis that sent her popularity plunging in 2016 remains a residual risk in the Sept. 24 election.

— patrick donahue, Bloomberg.com, "Merkel Tested on Refugees, Diesel as Campaign About to Heat Up," 20 Aug. 2017
This may not all be playing out exactly as Scaramucci intended, but the residual fame is surely a perk for a guy who’s spent so much time seeking fame and/or infamy.

— hilary weaver, vanityfair.com, "Anthony Scaramucci Is Still Enjoying His 15 Minutes of Fame," 8 Aug. 2017
Given to the patient shortly before the transplant, the infusion of antibodies theoretically reduces the host's residual T cells, minimizing the risk of graft rejection while eliminating T cells from the donor to thwart GVHD.

— jon cohen, Science | AAAS, "A stem cell transplant helped beat back a young doctor’s cancer. Now, it’s assaulting his body," 12 July 2017
The classification called Qualitätswein categorizes Rieslings based on the wines’ residual sugar.

— marissa a. ross, Bon Appetit, "Why You Should Give Riesling Another Chance," 7 July 2017
The competitors’ opening challenge was to run through 12 miles of snow and mud, residual from heavy winter snowfalls, as the course ascended 2,300 feet to the 8,500-foot level.

— The Aegis, "Six year wait leads to finish of lifetime for Ron Green," 29 June 2017
There are some residual delays for travelers driving south from the Pennsylvania area.

— sean welsh, baltimoresun.com, "I-83 South reopens after tractor trailer overturns," 29 June 2017
Rinse the pumpkin under cool water to rid the skin of any residual dirt and dry well with a clean towel. 3.

— karen berner, Good Housekeeping, "How to Puree Pumpkin for Homemade Desserts," 29 June 2017
However, the MTA noted Wednesday morning that riders still should expect residual delays following repairs around the 125th Street station.

— CBS News, "Supervisors suspended amid NYC subway derailment probe," 28 June 2017

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

play

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

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

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residual

Definition of residual

From the M-W Editors

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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