residual

1 of 2

noun

re·​sid·​u·​al ri-ˈzi-jə-wəl How to pronounce residual (audio)
-jəl;
-ˈzij-wəl
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)

residual

2 of 2

adjective

1
: of, relating to, or constituting a residue
2
: leaving a residue that remains effective for some time
a residual pesticide
residually adverb

Examples of residual in a Sentence

Adjective She's still dealing with the residual effects of the accident.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Gately had testified as part of the grand jury that led to Measures’ indictment after he had been booked on a national commercial and initially received payment and residuals from it, but then did not receive the $6,500 from KMR when the commercial was renewed for a third time. Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2025 Lawmakers characterized the money set aside as residuals from pandemic-era American Rescue Plan Act grants. Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 3 July 2025
Adjective
The slight residual sweetness in Brut styles can also balance any hot sauce or jalapeno toppings, unlike tequila which can amplify the heat. Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025 This relic radiation, or heat, is known as the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) — a faint, residual glow representing the oldest light humans can observe. Madison Dapcevich, Discover Magazine, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for residual

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin residuum residue

First Known Use

Noun

1557, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of residual was in 1557

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Residual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/residual. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

residual

1 of 2 adjective
re·​sid·​u·​al ri-ˈzij-(ə-)wəl How to pronounce residual (audio)
-ˈzij-əl
1
: of, relating to, or being a residue
2
: leaving a residue that is effective for some time afterward
residually
adverb

residual

2 of 2 noun
: a residual product, substance, or result

Medical Definition

residual

1 of 2 adjective
re·​sid·​u·​al ri-ˈzij-(ə-)wəl, -ˈzij-əl How to pronounce residual (audio)
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

2 of 2 noun
1
: an internal aftereffect of experience or activity that influences later behavior
2
: a residual abnormality (as a scar or limp)

Legal Definition

residual

adjective
re·​sid·​u·​al
ri-ˈzi-jə-wəl
: of, relating to, or constituting a residue : residuary

More from Merriam-Webster on residual

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