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.

---

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

---

redundancy Cultural  

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

---

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

In addition, each year between April and October crews are testing generators, redundancy systems and other equipment to prepare for the worst, Shelton said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026

Since then, 675 jobs have been lost through voluntary redundancy, and the university has received bailouts of £40m from the Scottish government and £22m from the Scottish Funding Council.

From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026

The luxury car maker is opening a voluntary redundancy program for salaried and management team members.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2026

The company revealed its voluntary redundancy scheme just days after the German car giant Volkswagen announced 50,000 new job cuts.

From Barron's ● Sep. 7, 2026

Which—to mention it—is redundancy too, like the breathing or the need of ammunition.

From "Absalom, Absalom!" by William Faulkner

Royal Mail said the workforce reduction, designed to improve efficiency, would be achieved through voluntary redundancies and people choosing to leave the company.

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

Since then, voluntary redundancies have brought that figure down to about 50 but the sticking point is compulsory redundancies.

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026

The union said it was calling on the university to rule out compulsory redundancies, the closure of full departments, protect teaching and research, and "engage seriously" with the alternative proposals put forward by staff.

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026

Meanwhile, the report estimated that redundancies from the merger could put 2,495 regional jobs at risk, mainly in corporate functions, technology and real estate.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 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