redundancy

American  

[ri-duhn-duhn-see] / rɪˈdʌn dən si /

Sometimes redundance

noun

redundancies plural

1. the state of being redundant.

2. superfluous repetition or overlapping, especially of words.

3. a redundant thing, part, or amount; superfluity.

4. the provision of additional or duplicate systems, equipment, etc., that function in case an operating part or system fails, as in a spacecraft.

5. Linguistics.

   1. the inclusion of more information than is necessary for communication, as in those cars, where both words are marked for plurality.

   2. the additional, predictable information so included.

   3. the degree of predictability thereby created.

6. Chiefly British.

   1. the condition or fact of being unemployed; unemployment.

   2. a layoff.

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redundancy British  

/ rɪˈdʌndənsɪ /

noun

1. 1. the state or condition of being redundant or superfluous, esp superfluous in one's job

   2. ( as modifier )

      a redundancy payment

2. excessive proliferation or profusion, esp of superfluity

3. duplication of components in electronic or mechanical equipment so that operations can continue following failure of a part

4. repetition of information or inclusion of additional information to reduce errors in telecommunication transmissions and computer processing

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redundancy Cultural  

1. Unnecessary repetition in speech or writing. The expression freedom and liberty is redundant.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• redundancies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of redundancy

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin redundantia “an overflowing, excess,” derivative of redundāns “overflowing, abounding”; see redundant

Explanation

Use the noun redundancy to refer to something that's needlessly repeated. As much as you hate the redundancy of math drills, you have to admit that repetition is how you learned to multiply in the first place. The noun redundancy can also refer to something that is unneeded, or extra. If you own a circus and you want to keep costs down by eliminating redundancy, you may decide you only need two clowns, rather than the whole carload of clowns you planned on. Redundancy comes from the Latin word redundare, meaning to surge, or literally to overflow.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

redundancy redundancies

After a series of equipment failures last year, the FAA shored up the feed with better bandwidth and redundancy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026

So now, in a move of epic and time-wasting redundancy, Disney has remade the movie in lockstep with that ubiquitous original.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

No final decision has been made but the job cuts will happen in the autumn if the redundancy plans it is consulting on are approved.

From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026

The majority acknowledges that its reading creates some overlap in the statute but concludes that a modest amount of redundancy is preferable to giving words an unnatural meaning.

From Slate ● Jun. 26, 2026

There are safety systems in every home and every office building, with multiple levels of redundancy, just in case.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

In a sign of the union’s power, the deal ruled out compulsory redundancies and site closures in Germany at least until the end of 2030.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026

The BBC will axe some programming and may impose compulsory redundancies to deliver hundreds of millions of pounds of previously announced savings, its new Director-General Matt Brittin told staff Wednesday.

From Barron's ● Jun. 17, 2026

However the NEU said "early reports" suggested it would not be enough "for schools to prevent redundancies and rises in workload".

From BBC ● May 9, 2026

“With redundancies and safeguards we have in place, we don’t anticipate any impact to the reliability of our products.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 29, 2026

Speaking of redundancies, think twice before using expressions like advance reservations, final conclusion, foreign import, free gift, prerecorded, refer back, or safe haven.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner

Related Words

• repetition