redundancy

Sometimes re·dun·dance

[ri-duhn-duhn-see]

noun

plural

redundancies 

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.

redundancy

/ 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

redundancy

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of redundancy¹

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

Example Sentences

The largest component of profit hit will be A$414 million for the 3,500 redundancies disclosed in September by Chief Executive Nuno Matos, who took over as CEO in May.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Chief executive David Ellison said in a memo to employees that the layoffs were focused on “addressing redundancies” at the company and to accommodate its shifting priorities.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This reduction works much like summarizing a book -- it removes redundancies while preserving the essential narrative and relationships, retaining all relevant information in a much smaller form.

Read more on Science Daily

The delivery company's chief executive previously linked redundancies, in part, to machine learning.

Read more on BBC

Some argue that uncertainty over redundancy plans is distracting staff and managers from the task of turning round the NHS.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• repetition