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

Customers may experience residuals with Gold and Red line services. — Caroline Silva, AJC.com, 26 June 2026

The residuals started coming for me immediately. — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 25 June 2026

Adjective

Commuters should expect residual delays on June 30, the city's emergency notification system said. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 30 June 2026

Transfer dough to reserved bowl and turn to coat with residual pepperoni oil in bowl. — ABC News, 29 June 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