remnant

1 of 2

noun

rem·​nant ˈrem-nənt 

1

a

: a usually small part, member, or trace remaining

b

: a small surviving group

—often used in plural

2

: an unsold or unused end of piece goods

remnant

2 of 2

adjective

: still remaining

Synonyms

Noun

• rest
• remainder

Examples of remnant in a Sentence

Noun

Remnants go on sale next week.

sailed home with just a remnant of the colony's original population aboard

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The researchers used remnants of coral species that only live in shallows very near the sea surface. —David Bressan, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025

This removes ghosting, which happens when new content appears on screen but the display still shows remnants of previous content. —PC Magazine, 18 June 2025

Adjective

Set a printing and posting budget and reach out to local representatives to explore options for your content to appear in the remnant ad space. —Rita Soronen, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025

The Rosebank expressions, for example, represent the last remnant stock produced before the distillery shut down. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, contraction of remenant, from Anglo-French remanant, from present participle of remaindre to remain — more at remain entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1550, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

remnant

noun

rem·​nant

ˈrem-nənt

1

: a surviving usually small part

remnants of a great civilization

2

: something that remains or is left over

a remnant of cloth