residue

American  

[rez-i-doo, -dyoo] / ˈrɛz ɪˌdu, -ˌdju /

noun

• residues
  plural

1. 

   something that remains after a part is removed, disposed of, or used; remainder; rest; remnant.

   Synonyms:

   residuum

2. Chemistry.

   1. residuum.

   2. an atom or group of atoms considered as a group or part of a molecule.

   3. that part remaining as a solid on a filter paper after a liquid passes through in the filtration procedure.

3. Law. the part of a testator's estate that remains after the payment of all debts, charges, special devises, and bequests.

4. Mathematics.

   1. the coefficient of the term with exponent −1 in a Laurent series of a function of a complex variable.

   2. a number related to a given number by a congruence.

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residue British  

/ ˈrɛzɪˌdjuː /

noun

1. matter remaining after something has been removed

2. law what is left of an estate after the discharge of debts and distribution of specific gifts

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Synonym Usage

See remainder.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• residues
  plural

Etymology

Origin of residue

1300–50; Middle English from Middle French residu from Latin residuum “what is left over”; see residual

Explanation

Residue is anything that's left over when a substance has been removed, like the grease left over on a frying pan. It can also mean, simply, "remainder." When residue refers to a liquid, it’s what’s left at the bottom of a bottle, a pot, or a can after the rest has been poured out. Legally, the residue is the remainder of the money in an estate, after bills and taxes have been paid. So if your millionaire aunt leaves you her estate, but didn’t pay any bills for the last ten years, you may not get much residue!

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

residue residues

A mother with black residue from the smoke on her hands stood crying outside the hospital as she held her 10-day-old baby in her arms.

From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026

During the second inspection, inspectors found decaying organic waste, wastewater, food residue, unsanitary conditions that allowed the breeding of flies, as well as live and dead flies along the northern perimeter of the warehouse.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026

Thankfully, Jenée Desmond-Harris has discovered a satisfying way to get rid of stickers and their gross residue once and for all.

From Slate ● Jul. 13, 2026

Consumers in other countries love it because it is longer lasting, provides robust sun protection and doesn’t feel greasy or leave white residue.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 3, 2026

It is meaningless, therefore, to talk about the “safety” of any specific amount of residue.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

The residues of that history are not confined to old paint.

From Slate ● Aug. 11, 2026

But the petroleum products are masked in manifests — labeled waste material, lubricants, residues and other items not subject to the high taxes that Mexico levies on imported fuel.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026

The dining table and the bathroom preserved traces of explosives that matched residues found at the blast sites, according to German court documents.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026

Some farmers argue the chemical is necessary but the Soil Association warns that its use as a drying agent leaves residues in foods such as bread, breakfast cereals and beer.

From BBC ● May 6, 2026

Resistant houseflies may have the stable-fly habit of sitting still in one place, thus greatly reducing the frequency of their contact with residues of poison.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

Related Words

• debris
• silt
• slag