remainder

American  

[ri-meyn-der] / rɪˈmeɪn dər /

noun

1. something that remains or is left.

   the remainder of the day.

   Synonyms:

   overage, rest, excess, remnant, residuum

2. a remaining part.

3. Arithmetic.

   1. the quantity that remains after subtraction.

   2. the portion of the dividend that is not evenly divisible by the divisor.

4. Mathematics. the difference between a function or a number and an approximation to it.

5. Law. a future interest so created as to take effect at the end of another estate, as when property is conveyed to one person for life and then to another.

6. Philately. remainders, the quantities of stamps on hand after they have been demonetized or otherwise voided for postal use.

7. a copy of a book remaining in the publisher's stock when its sale has practically ceased, frequently sold at a reduced price.

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adjective

1. remaining; leftover.

verb (used with object)

1. to dispose of or sell as a remainder.

remainder British  

/ rɪˈmeɪndə /

noun

1. a part or portion that is left, as after use, subtraction, expenditure, the passage of time, etc

   the remainder of the milk

   the remainder of the day

2. maths

   1. the amount left over when one quantity cannot be exactly divided by another

      for 10 ÷ 3, the remainder is 1

   2. another name for difference

3. property law a future interest in property; an interest in a particular estate that will pass to one at some future date, as on the death of the current possessor

4. a number of copies of a book left unsold when demand slows or ceases, which are sold at a reduced price by the publisher

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verb

1. (tr) to sell (copies of a book) as a remainder

remainder Scientific  

/ rĭ-mān′dər /

1. In division, the difference between the dividend and the product of the quotient and divisor. Dividing 14 by 3 gives 4 and a remainder of 2.

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Related Words

Remainder, balance, residue, surplus refer to a portion left over. Remainder is the general word ( the remainder of one's life ); it may refer in particular to the mathematical process of subtraction: 7 minus 5 leaves a remainder of 2. Balance, originally a bookkeeper's term referring to the amount of money left to one's account ( a bank balance ), is often used as a synonym for remainder : the balance of the day. Residue is used particularly to designate what remains as the result of a process; this is usually a chemical process, but the word may also refer to a legal process concerning inheritance: a residue of ash left from burning leaves. Surplus suggests that what remains is in excess of what was needed: a surplus of goods.

Etymology

Origin of remainder

1350–1400; Middle English from Anglo-French, noun use of Middle French remaindre “to remain ”

Example Sentences

The remainder are either unchanged or barely changed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

The remainder may still be trapped inside the deportation process, opaque even to those inside it.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

The team learned earlier this week that Luka Doncic has a Grade 2 left hamstring strain and will be out for the remainder of the regular season — and perhaps beyond.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

Topps Tiles said eight of the "under-performing" stores had already closed, with the remainder to shut over the next six months.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

“I did not, Mr. McCoy. But if I hear you call anyone Space Boy again, you’ll find yourself in Saturday detentions for the remainder of the year.”

From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson

Related Words

• rest