remnant

1 of 2

noun

rem·​nant ˈrem-nənt How to pronounce remnant (audio)
Synonyms of remnant
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

Relevance

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
In fact, just days earlier, the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel had slammed the coastline and dumped rain over the region — although not enough to significantly moisten the bone-dry vegetation. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 That was followed soon after by remnants of Hurricane Polo at the end of September and now Tropical Storm Rachel. — Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Even as the storm weakened, the center of Isaias’s remnant circulation was located near Montgomery, Alabama, during the predawn hours Saturday. — Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 10 Oct. 2026 It will likely be downgraded to a tropical storm on Saturday and just a remnant low pressure area later in the weekend. — Terry Eliasen, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for remnant

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of remnant was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

remix
remnant
remnantal
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Remnant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/remnant. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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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
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