- 1(also the remainder) [singular + singular or plural verb] the remaining people, things or time synonym rest I kept some of his books and gave away the remainder. When the remainder refers to a plural noun, the verb is pluralMost of our employees work in New York; the remainder are in London.
- 2[countable, usually singular] (mathematics) the numbers left after one number has been subtracted from another, or one number has been divided into another Divide 2 into 7, and the answer is 3, remainder 1. compare divisor
- 3[countable] a book that has been remaindered Word Originlate Middle English (in a legal sense): from Anglo-Norman French, from Latin remanere, from re- (expressing intensive force) + manere ‘to stay’. Extra examplesHe was silent throughout the remainder of the journey. If you don’t have enough cash with you can pay the remainder tomorrow. In the remainder of this chapter we shall compare the two methods. She was an invalid for the remainder of her life.
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