remnant

American  

[rem-nuhnt] / ˈrɛm nənt /

noun

1. a remaining, usually small part, quantity, number, or the like.

   Synonyms:

   remains, rest, residuum, residue, remainder

2. a fragment or scrap.

3. a small, unsold or unused piece of cloth, lace, etc., as at the end of a bolt.

4. a trace; vestige.

   remnants of former greatness.

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adjective

1. remaining; leftover.

remnant British  

/ ˈrɛmnənt /

noun

1. (often plural) a part left over after use, processing, etc

2. a surviving trace or vestige, as of a former era

   a remnant of imperialism

3. a piece of material from the end of a roll, sold at a lower price

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adjective

1. remaining; left over

Other Word Forms

• remnantal adjective

Etymology

Origin of remnant

1300–50; Middle English remna ( u ) nt, contraction of remenant < Old French, present participle of remenoir to remain

Example Sentences

Researchers suspect it could be a remnant of an early planet that was torn apart by massive collisions, or possibly a fragment of a once-layered body that lost its outer rocky shell.

From Science Daily • Mar. 17, 2026

Yet with the final remnant of muscular control in his right thumb, he spelled out letters at an adapted typewriter beside Edith.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

The arrangement resembles an "acquihire" – a practice increasingly common in Silicon Valley where larger tech companies poach key staff from smaller firms, leaving a small remnant of the company behind.

From Barron's • Dec. 24, 2025

She’s a remnant of a déclassé life that Simone wants to leave behind.

From Salon • Jun. 5, 2025

The “bulto” was just that, a bulky remnant of thick, white cloth tied together at the top in a vagabond’s knot.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall

Related Words

• bit
• fragment
• particle
• piece
• remains
• residue
• shred
• vestige