# remains

/ɹiˈmeɪnz/ (US) · /ɹɪmˈeɪnz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/remains
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. leftover parts

noun · CEFR B2

the parts of something that are left after the rest has been taken, used, or destroyed.

For teachers: the parts or portions of something that are left over after the main part has been removed, consumed, or destroyed.

- The remains of our picnic were still scattered across the grass.
- The remains of the abandoned factory stood as a grim reminder of the town's industrial decline.

Usage: Always used in the plural form.

### 2. a dead body

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the body of a person or animal after they have died.

For teachers: the physical body of a deceased person or organism; often used as a more respectful or formal term than 'corpse'.

- The soldier's remains were returned to his family for a proper burial.
- Forensic experts were called to the site to identify the human remains discovered during the excavation.

Usage: Plural-only noun.

### 3. historical relics

noun · CEFR B2

objects or buildings from the past that still exist today.

For teachers: the surviving parts of ancient structures or civilizations, typically of archaeological interest.

- We visited the remains of an old Roman temple during our holiday.
- Archaeologists spent decades uncovering the remains of the ancient city, revealing a sophisticated network of stone aqueducts.

Usage: Plural-only noun.

## Examples

- The remains of the old castle sit on top of the hill.
- Archaeologists discovered the remains of a Roman villa while digging the foundations for the new shopping center.
- While the fire destroyed the entire library, the charred remains of several ancient scrolls were recovered from the basement and sent to a laboratory for restoration.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.