Definition of REDUNDANT (original) (raw)
1
b
: characterized by or containing an excess
specifically : using more words than necessary
c
: characterized by similarity or repetition
a group of particularly redundant brick buildings
d
chiefly British : no longer needed for a job and hence laid off
3
: serving as a duplicate for preventing failure of an entire system (such as a spacecraft) upon failure of a single component
Synonyms
Examples of redundant in a Sentence
The drone had originally been designed to go places the Blackbird could not, but it had become redundant on discovery of the fact that there was nowhere the SR-71 could not go in safety … —
Tom Clancy, The Cardinal of the Kremlin, 1989 Undoubtedly in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred a witness to an occurrence is someone who has seen it. Therefore, some editors have said, eyewitness is a redundant word and it should be consigned to the dustbin. —Theodore M. Bernstein, Mrs. Thistlebottom's Hobgoblins, 1971 There they sat, grounded upon the ground, silent, uncomplaining, with bowed heads, a pathetic sight. And by hideous contrast, a redundant orator was making a speech to another gathering not thirty steps away … —Mark Twain, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, 1889
He edited the paper and removed any redundant information or statements. Avoid redundant expressions in your writing. Some people say that since all adages are old, the phrase “old adage” is redundant.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The pilot relies on a redundant fly-by-wire system with hands-on throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) and a widescreen HMI. —New Atlas, 11 Dec. 2024 The channel then went through financial difficulties amid the global recession, with producers venting frustrations and a plan outlined to make 250 people redundant at the start of 2024. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 10 Dec. 2024 Scientists often hope to compensate for these high error rates by spreading quantum computations across many redundant qubits. —IEEE Spectrum, 9 Dec. 2024 Traditional systems often rely on outdated technology and fragmented data sources, leading to redundant ordering, inflated storage costs, and inevitable write-offs due to obsolescence. —Paul J. Noble, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for redundant 
Word History
Etymology
Latin redundant-, redundans, present participle of redundare to overflow — more at redound
First Known Use
1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of redundant was in 1594
Dictionary Entries Near redundant
Cite this Entry
“Redundant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/redundant. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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Last Updated: 22 Dec 2024 - Updated example sentences
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