residual

noun
re·​sid·​u·​al | \ ri-ˈzi-jə-wəl How to pronounce residual (audio) , -jəl; -ˈzij-wəl\

Definition of residual

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : remainder, residuum: such as
a : the difference between results obtained by observation and by computation from a formula or between the mean of several observations and any one of them
b : a residual product or substance
c : an internal aftereffect of experience or activity that influences later behavior especially : a disability remaining from a disease or operation
2 : a payment (as to an actor or writer) for each rerun after an initial showing (as of a TV show)

residual

adjective

Definition of residual (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : of, relating to, or constituting a residue
2 : leaving a residue that remains effective for some time a residual pesticide

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Other Words from residual

Adjective

residually adverb

Examples of residual in a Sentence

Adjective

She's still dealing with the residual effects of the accident.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The city received a permit from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in 2015 to begin pumping the lime residual into the LaFarge mines. Steve Lord, Aurora Beacon-News, "Aurora says new lime disposal deal would save city millions of dollars," 6 June 2019 Coal ash, or coal combustion residuals (CCR), is the solid material left after burning coal. Dennis Pillion | Dpillion@al.com, al.com, "Alabama Power sticks to plan to cover coal ash ponds, despite concerns," 12 July 2019 The series still makes a billion dollars a year in syndication, earning the six lead actors twenty million dollars annually in residuals. Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, "The Revealing Reasons That People Visit the “Friends” Building," 10 July 2019 Aurora officials are pursuing a new lease with LaFarge Aggregates Limestone Mine for disposal of limestone residual from the Water Treatment Plant. Steve Lord, Aurora Beacon-News, "Aurora says new lime disposal deal would save city millions of dollars," 6 June 2019 The city began the land application in 2012, but as far back as 2006 began looking at disposing of the lime residual in the mines. Steve Lord, Aurora Beacon-News, "Aurora says new lime disposal deal would save city millions of dollars," 6 June 2019 And last month the Congressional Budget Office reported that even if the current surge in economic growth isn’t sustained, the revenue residual from our current strong growth rate will pay for some 80% of the projected cost of the 2017 tax reform. Phil Gramm And, WSJ, "Tax Reform Unleashed the U.S. Economy," 4 Mar. 2019 Jordyn can catch residuals, yes, but making her the target is trash. Nicole Saunders, Harper's BAZAAR, "Khloé Kardashian Calls BS on Jordyn Woods' Red Table Talk Interview and Twitter Claps Back," 1 Mar. 2019 These earnings from film and TV also don't take into account residuals—the money that actors and other creatives are paid for reruns, syndication, and home entertainment releases. Emma Dibdin, Country Living, "Tim Allen’s Salary Per Episode of ‘Last Man Standing’ Will Make Your Jaw Drop," 21 Sep. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

And, in fact, is still grappling with residual effects of the housing meltdown. Allie Gross, Detroit Free Press, "Lawsuits take aim at Wayne County's controversial Action Before Auction program," 3 Sep. 2019 The eastbound lanes reopened at about 2:20 p.m., State Police said in a tweet, though residual traffic delays were expected. Jordan Frias, BostonGlobe.com, "11 people injured in 4-car crash in Orleans," 1 Sep. 2019 Marisol Chiclana Ayala, a community engagement planner with the state’s department of health, knows this residual trauma all too well. Rubén Rosario, Twin Cities, "Rubén Rosario: Dorian unnerves Puerto Ricans traumatized by Hurricane Maria," 30 Aug. 2019 The building suffered both a collapse and a small residual fire, Lakamp said. Madeline Mitchell, Cincinnati.com, "First responders on scene of Bond Hill building collapse," 28 Aug. 2019 But over millions of years, the residual oxygen left by this tiny imbalance between growth and decomposition has accumulated to form the reservoir of breathable oxygen on which all animal life depends. Scott Denning, Scientific American, "Destructive Amazon Fires Do Not Threaten Earth’s Oxygen, Expert Says," 27 Aug. 2019 But over millions of years, the residual oxygen left by this tiny imbalance between growth and decomposition has accumulated to form the reservoir of breathable oxygen on which all animal life depends. The Conversation, oregonlive.com, "Amazon fires are alarming -- but, no, they won’t deplete Earth’s oxygen: The Conversation," 26 Aug. 2019 Today’s residual ice sheets are smaller—the equivalent of less than 70 metres of sea-level rise. The Economist, "Climate change is a remorseless threat to the world’s coasts," 17 Aug. 2019 The agency also should limit the debt-to-income ratio to 50% and require loans in excess of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s 43% maximum to satisfy a residual-income test. Paul Kupiec And, WSJ, "The Government Creates Another Housing Bubble," 31 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'residual.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of residual

Noun

1557, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for residual

Noun

Latin residuum residue

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More Definitions for residual

residual

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of residual

formal : remaining after a process has been completed or something has been removed

residual

adjective
re·​sid·​u·​al | \ ri-ˈzij-(ə-)wəl, -ˈzij-əl How to pronounce residual (audio) \

Medical Definition of residual

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : of, relating to, or being something that remains: as
a : remaining after a disease or operation residual paralysis
b : remaining in a body cavity after maximum normal expulsion has occurred residual urine — see residual volume
2a : leaving a residue that remains effective for some time after application residual insecticides
b : of or relating to a residual insecticide a residual spray

residual

noun

Medical Definition of residual (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : an internal aftereffect of experience or activity that influences later behavior
2 : a residual abnormality (as a scar or limp)

residual

adjective
re·​sid·​u·​al | \ ri-ˈzi-jə-wəl\

Legal Definition of residual