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

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 Though now is your time to implement new strategies such as a long term investment or commission based or residual income. Rebecca Gordon, Harper's BAZAAR, "Your Horoscope For the Year Ahead," 29 Dec. 2016 The rosé should undergo a longer second fermentation than Prosecco—at least 60 days—and also clock in with lower residual sugar. Stephanie Cain, Fortune, "Rosé Prosecco Doesn’t Actually Exist—But It Will Soon," 21 July 2019 Add soaked oats along with any residual liquid, plus salt and pepper to bowl meat mixture and mix with your hands until all ingredients are fully and evenly incorporated. Priya Krishna, WSJ, "Meatloaf Transcendent," 6 Sep. 2018 Lake Merritt station was reopened at about 6:30 p.m. Travelers should expect residual delays, particularly in the East Bay, officials said. Lauren Hernández, SFChronicle.com, "Person struck by BART train near Lake Merritt station in Oakland," 24 July 2019 Although most payments are immediately cashed out, 53% have residual value. Selin Ozyurt, Quartz Africa, "Ghana is now the fastest-growing mobile money market in Africa," 9 July 2019 San Mateo County officials said the trains will resume their schedule, but residual delays may remain. Gwendolyn Wu, SFChronicle.com, "Caltrain suffers major delays during morning commute," 2 July 2019 City Councilor Michelle Wu announced plans to protest the upcoming MBTA fare hike on the first day the higher rates are slated to go into effect, after a Red Line derailment created havoc for riders last week and continues to cause residual delays. Christina Prignano, BostonGlobe.com, "Michelle Wu to protest MBTA fare hikes with volunteers at T stations," 20 June 2019

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