vestige

noun ves·tige \ ˈve-stij \

Definition of vestige

1 a (1) : a trace, mark, or visible sign left by something (such as an ancient city or a condition or practice) vanished or lost

(2) : the smallest quantity or trace

b : footprint 1

2 : a bodily part or organ that is small and degenerate or imperfectly developed in comparison to one more fully developed in an earlier stage of the individual, in a past generation, or in closely related forms

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See vestige defined for kids

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Examples of vestige in a Sentence

a few strange words carved on a tree were the only vestige of the lost colony of Roanoke
the fossilized vestige of a dinosaur that traversed that muddy landscape millions of years ago

Recent Examples of vestige from the Web

The monarchy is a parasitic relic of a lost age, a vestige of a history that was not altogether kind to my ancestors, nor to a lot of other folks' ancestors, either.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "God Save the Green," 25 Oct. 2017
Yellen, and to a lesser extent, Powell, believe the economy is still somewhat fragile because of restraints such as an aging population, slow productivity growth and vestiges of the recession of 2007-09, such as wary lenders.

— paul davidson, USA TODAY, "Fed Chair Janet Yellen: Why Trump's pick for Fed chair matters," 24 Oct. 2017
The filings are the last outward vestige of the old private partnership that once ruled Goldman.

— liz hoffman, WSJ, "Goldman’s Partners Cash Out," 20 July 2017
Tiny vestiges of the series' Shakespearean past occasionally make an appearance, tempering the movie's wit and charm.

— patrick cooley, cleveland.com, "If 'Thor: Ragnarok' isn't the best Marvel movie, it's certainly the most fun," 1 Nov. 2017
Bombardier is one of the last vestiges of the city’s storied industrial past.

— patrick kingsley, New York Times, "For Belfast, ‘America First’ Amounts to ‘Northern Ireland Last’," 10 Oct. 2017
Suits is the last vestige of the blue skies time at USA, having outlasted its contemporaries White Collar, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs and Burn Notice.

— emma dibdin, Esquire, "Patrick J. Adams Knows Why Suits Is America's Secret Obsession," 14 Sep. 2017
By Tuesday morning, the blocks-long convention center had been transformed into a makeshift city, teeming with tired families lugging the last vestiges of their lives before Harvey hit.

— russell gold, WSJ, "Harvey Makes Landfall in Louisiana as Waters Keep Rising in Texas," 30 Aug. 2017
Rendered in plaid and her smart top-handle bag had a cozy, autumnal sway, while mirrored aviators suggested a last remaining vestige of summer.

— maria ward, Vogue, "Elle Fanning Has the Ultimate Shoe for a Fancy Shopping Spree," 12 Sep. 2017

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

vestige, Trace, and Track

Vestige is derived via Middle French from the Latin noun vestigium, meaning "footstep, footprint, or track." Like trace and track, vestige can refer to a perceptible sign made by something that has now passed. Of the three words, vestige is the most likely to apply to a tangible reminder, such as a fragment or remnant of what is past and gone. Trace, on the other hand, may suggest any line, mark, or discernible effect ("the snowfield is pockmarked with the traces of caribou"). Track implies a continuous line that can be followed ("the fossilized tracks of dinosaurs").

Origin and Etymology of vestige

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin vestigium footstep, footprint, track, vestige

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

See Words from the same year

vestige Synonyms

Synonyms

echo, ghost, relic, shadow, trace;

Related Words

memento, remembrance, reminder;

artifact;

afterimage, aftertaste;

balance, corpse, hangover, leftover, oddment, remainder, remnant, scrap;

dreg(s), leavings, remain(s), residual, residue, rest;

Synonym Discussion of vestige

trace, vestige, track mean a perceptible sign made by something that has passed. trace may suggest any line, mark, or discernible effect.

- the killer left no traces

vestige applies to a tangible reminder such as a fragment or remnant of what is past and gone.

- boulders that are vestiges of the last ice age

track implies a continuous line that can be followed.

- the fossilized tracks of dinosaurs

VESTIGE Defined for English Language Learners

vestige

noun

Definition of vestige for English Language Learners

: the last small part that remains of something that existed before
: the smallest possible amount of something

VESTIGE Defined for Kids

vestige

noun ves·tige \ ˈve-stij \

Definition of vestige for Students

: a tiny amount or visible sign of something lost or vanished : trace

We stayed outside to enjoy the last vestiges of daylight.

Medical Dictionary

vestige

noun ves·tige \ ˈves-tij \

medical Definition of vestige

: a bodily part or organ that is small and degenerate or imperfectly developed in comparison to one more fully developed in an earlier stage of the individual, in a past generation, or in closely related forms