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 plural

2

: an unsold or unused end of piece goods

remnant

2 of 2

adjective

: still remaining

Synonyms of remnant

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

While the university grappled with yet another football scandal, an Ann Arbor moving crew simply got to work—sorting, packing and hauling away the remnants of a fallen career, one item at a time, over the span of six hours. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Parquet floors and chapel-like wooden paneling (the remnants of an actual in-house chapel) sit under those phenomenal, original, hauter-than-haut ceilings. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Between remnant systems and tropical storms, at least 50 storms or hurricanes have either affected or moved over California and Arizona. — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Friday, the National Hurricane Center released the final advisory for the remnant system. — Miami Herald Hurricane Bot, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026

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