residual

1 of 2

noun

re·​sid·​u·​al ri-ˈzi-jə-wəl 

-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

Noun

And while some nights are replacing reruns of other shows, that means lower residuals for creatives, with broadcast reruns usually paying out the largest amounts for writers, actors and others involved. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026

Seeing titles licensed to cable is super important for residuals for DGA and IATSE members and a big source of many members’ income. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026

Adjective

American support for Israel’s assault on Gaza, particularly under President Joe Biden, swept away any residual moral authority the United States could claim. — Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Gently pull the hose free from its housing, hold it over your bowl, remove the plug, and let any residual water drain out. — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 17 Aug. 2026

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

Phrases Containing residual

• residual oil
• residual power

Rhymes for residual

• vidual
• decidual
• dividual

Kids Definition

residual

1 of 2 adjective

re·​sid·​u·​al ri-ˈzij-(ə-)wəl 

-ˈzij-əl

1

: of, relating to, or being a residue

2

: leaving a residue that is effective for some time afterward

residually

-ē

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 

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