residual

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

|Updated on: 14 Aug 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

Latvia has its own Russian question, the residual of a long hegemony by Moscow that began in 1710 and ended only in 1991, with an interruption between the world wars when Latvians first enjoyed self-determination.

— l. kim tan, BostonGlobe.com, "In Latvia, we got carried away with storks," 26 June 2018
Such is the residual of standing with the Toronto Raptors as the only teams without a selection in either round, as well as without any cash to spend on trades until the start of the 2018-19 cap calendar.

— ira winderman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Heat's NBA draft approach could be buy now, pay later," 19 June 2018
Though Duane and Tisha will not be sanctioned by the court, the trustee will continue to collect all incoming residuals.

— aurelie corinthios, PEOPLE.com, "Tisha Campbell & Duane Martin Ordered to Turn Over Accounting in Bankruptcy Case," 18 Apr. 2018
As for the major stars of the show, including Jessica Biel, experts estimated that each likely earned upwards of six figures annually in residuals from the show’s reruns.

— natalie stone, PEOPLE.com, "Roseanne, 7th Heaven and The Cosby Show: All the TV Shows Pulled Because of Their Stars' Scandals," 30 May 2018
Liquid meth that was cooling was located in the freezer and residuals on roasting pans were found in the kitchen.

— Fox News, "Mom, 25, is 'CEO' of huge Minnesota meth trafficking ring, prosecutors say," 10 May 2018
Lawrence claimed made an average of $6,966 a month, including $2,500 in residuals — but his monthly expenses were far higher: $25,505.35 total, per the documents, leaving him $18,539.35 a month in the red.

— aurelie corinthios, PEOPLE.com, "Blossom's Joey Lawrence Settles Bankruptcy Case After Accumulating $355K in Debt," 9 Apr. 2018
There’s no licensing, no residuals, no back-end percentages.

— liz raiss, GQ, "Jim Jones Is Still Salty About That Supreme Tee," 11 Apr. 2018
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

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

And yet most domestic bottlings are demonstrably sweet, with not only palpable residual sugar but a milky thickness of texture.

— patrick comiskey, latimes.com, "What's wrong with rosé wines, and why you should never pay more than $25 for a bottle," 19 Apr. 2018
Thursday, March 29: CLE Urban Winery will hold a Wine Components and Enhanced Tasting Class 7-8:30 p.m. Learn terms like tannin, residual sugar, acidity and body, American vs. French vs. Hungarian oak, and more.

— marc bona, cleveland.com, "Wine calendar: Chinato holds special 'skin contact' wine dinner, Mallorca has Wine and Dine in the Dark Again, more," 27 Mar. 2018
Higher residual values translate to lower monthly payments but increase the cost to buy the car at the end of the lease.

— Houston Chronicle, "Understand leasing terminology," 29 June 2018
But archaeologists say the soil where people of the Neolithic age likely put large timber posts can hold more residual moisture, allowing it to better cope with drought conditions and display a healthier shade of green.

— daniel victor, New York Times, "Drought and Drone Reveal ‘Once-in-a-Lifetime’ Signs of Ancient Henge in Ireland," 13 July 2018
Some people still have some residual sensitivity to light and sound at this point.

— korin miller, SELF, "How to Tell if Vestibular Migraines Are Why You Get Dizzy So Often," 12 July 2018
But the residual coverage of Clinton far surpasses them on all networks.

— alvin chang, Vox, "Nearly two years into the Trump presidency, Fox News is still obsessed with Hillary Clinton," 11 July 2018
Phoenix weighs in When the brightly colored, dockless bikes arrived in neighboring Scottsdale and Tempe last year, Phoenix felt the residual impact.

— jessica boehm, azcentral, "Phoenix and Scottsdale move to regulate bike-sharing," 7 July 2018
Two American senators, Sam Nunn and Richard Lugar, masterminded the legislation which helped neutralise the residual threat from the Soviet weapons of mass destruction (WMD): chemical and biological as well as nuclear.

— The Economist, "North Korea presents nuclear disarmament’s biggest challenge yet," 5 July 2018

First Known Use of residual

1570

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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

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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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