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

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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
Floods destroyed the footbridges, leaving remnants of stone pylons littering the creek, NPS said, and hiking trails, utilities and other infrastructure suffered significant damage. — Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026 Gall and Roglič, with the help of teammates who dropped back from the remnants of the breakaway, limited their losses to 27 seconds to Mas. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 3 Sep. 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 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 7 Sep. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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