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

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Etymology

Origin of redundancy

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

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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

The council said redundancy notices would be withdrawn if the three unions agreed to ballot their members on the pay offer.

From BBC ● Sep. 24, 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

For redundancy, the supply probes had enough food to last the whole crew fifty-six days.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

UCU branch president Karen Lorimer said staff wanted to be welcoming new and returning students but the refusal to rule out using compulsory redundancies left them with no alternative but to strike.

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 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

Management at the university plan to cut about 50 posts and say they have not ruled out compulsory redundancies.

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

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Related Words

• repetition

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