re·sid·u·al
ri-ˈzi-jə-wəl 
-jəl;
-ˈzij-wəl
1
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)
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
Chloe Berger, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2024
For this showrunner, the recent salary gains secured in the new MBA are helpful but pale in comparison to the residuals that writers received from working on the type of long-running shows that boasted 24-episode seasons and were the bedrock of broadcast before streaming.
—Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Apr. 2024
The two sides also have to fill a massive shortfall in the pension and health plans, with the union seeking a streaming residual that would supplement employer contributions.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 29 Mar. 2024
There have been significant improvements to the payments for streaming residuals.
—Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2023
After all that, everything remaining in the furnace then cools into glass-like residuals that researchers think could be useful as various filling materials in the construction industry.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 7 Feb. 2024
The unions were expected to demand a new streaming residual that would augment the employer contributions into the pension and health plans.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 5 Mar. 2024
Set for life thanks to residuals, the Seinfeld co-creator meanders around Los Angeles’ wealthiest neighborhoods, playing golf, making scenes in restaurants, and taking on inessential projects.
—TIME, 2 Feb. 2024
In their announcement, the unions acknowledged that various measures taken during 2023 to help crew members survive the writers’ and actors’ strikes had taken their toll on the health and pension plans, which are funded in part by residuals accrued from members working.
—Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Jan. 2024
Bychloe Berger, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2024
In turn, by 2015, the residual threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program had been addressed in the Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
—Steven Simon, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024
Fortunately for the consumer, the higher residual values correspond to a lower lease rate, bringing down the monthly payment.
—Logan Carter / Jalopnik, Quartz, 27 Mar. 2024
The gap between economic performance and consumer attitudes stems from residual frustration about the months-long bout of high inflation as well as bias tied to political partisanship, Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics, told ABC News.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2024
The flavor of most fruits should completely camouflage any residual bean-y taste, Geiger says.
—Audrey Bruno, SELF, 5 Apr. 2024
Gary London, London Moeder Advisors NO: The killer whale problem is a residual negative for them.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2024
However, all offsets are recommended only for beyond-value-chain mitigation when efforts to remove residual emissions within the value chain run out.
—Simi Thambi, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024
The Senate committee version also included a provision that would make residual compensation subject to Georgia income tax.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 29 Mar. 2024
Noun
This comes on the heels of the successful WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in the summer of 2023 wherein those in the creative and entertainment industries demanded better pay in an era of minimal residuals in the streaming economy, as well as protections against being replaced by AI.
—Chloe Berger, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2024
For this showrunner, the recent salary gains secured in the new MBA are helpful but pale in comparison to the residuals that writers received from working on the type of long-running shows that boasted 24-episode seasons and were the bedrock of broadcast before streaming.
—Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Apr. 2024
The two sides also have to fill a massive shortfall in the pension and health plans, with the union seeking a streaming residual that would supplement employer contributions.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 29 Mar. 2024
There have been significant improvements to the payments for streaming residuals.
—Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2023
After all that, everything remaining in the furnace then cools into glass-like residuals that researchers think could be useful as various filling materials in the construction industry.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 7 Feb. 2024
The unions were expected to demand a new streaming residual that would augment the employer contributions into the pension and health plans.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 5 Mar. 2024
Set for life thanks to residuals, the Seinfeld co-creator meanders around Los Angeles’ wealthiest neighborhoods, playing golf, making scenes in restaurants, and taking on inessential projects.
—TIME, 2 Feb. 2024
In their announcement, the unions acknowledged that various measures taken during 2023 to help crew members survive the writers’ and actors’ strikes had taken their toll on the health and pension plans, which are funded in part by residuals accrued from members working.
—Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Jan. 2024
Adjective
After years of inflation that outpaced wages, Americans are finally catching a break, but many are still feeling a residual sting.
—Bychloe Berger, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2024
In turn, by 2015, the residual threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program had been addressed in the Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
—Steven Simon, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024
Fortunately for the consumer, the higher residual values correspond to a lower lease rate, bringing down the monthly payment.
—Logan Carter / Jalopnik, Quartz, 27 Mar. 2024
The gap between economic performance and consumer attitudes stems from residual frustration about the months-long bout of high inflation as well as bias tied to political partisanship, Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics, told ABC News.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2024
The flavor of most fruits should completely camouflage any residual bean-y taste, Geiger says.
—Audrey Bruno, SELF, 5 Apr. 2024
Gary London, London Moeder Advisors NO: The killer whale problem is a residual negative for them.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2024
However, all offsets are recommended only for beyond-value-chain mitigation when efforts to remove residual emissions within the value chain run out.
—Simi Thambi, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024
The Senate committee version also included a provision that would make residual compensation subject to Georgia income tax.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 29 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'residual.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near residual
Cite this Entry
“Residual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/residual. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
adverb
-ē
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 noun1
: an internal aftereffect of experience or activity that influences later behavior
2
: a residual abnormality (as a scar or limp)
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