residual power: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, technical, legal, academic
Quick answer
What does “residual power” mean?
Power or authority that remains or is left over, especially after the primary power has been removed, transferred, or expired.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Power or authority that remains or is left over, especially after the primary power has been removed, transferred, or expired.
1. In legal/regulatory contexts: Authority retained by a governing body after delegating certain functions. 2. In technical contexts: Power remaining in a system, battery, or electrical circuit after the main source is disconnected. 3. In sociological contexts: Lingering influence of an institution, idea, or individual.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The phrase is used in similar formal/legal contexts. 'Residual powers' is the plural form in both.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK contexts related to constitutional law (e.g., residual powers of the Crown). In US contexts, common in engineering and contract law.
Grammar
How to Use “residual power” in a Sentence
The [Governing Body] retains residual power over [Domain].Residual power rests with the [Entity].To exercise the residual power to [Verb].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “residual power” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The treaty does not allow the state to residual-power its way into domestic affairs.
- The monarch cannot residual-power a decree without ministerial advice.
American English
- The federal government cannot residual-power its authority into state jurisdictions.
- The contract prevents the licensor from residual-powering control over daily operations.
adjective
British English
- The residual-power dynamics favoured the central government.
- They debated the residual-power clause in the devolution agreement.
American English
- The residual-power analysis was key to the court's ruling.
- We need to review the residual-power implications of the merger.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In contracts: 'The parent company retains residual power to veto major strategic decisions.'
Academic
In political science: 'The study examines the residual power of monarchies in modern parliamentary systems.'
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Might be used humorously: 'My mum still has residual power to make me feel guilty.'
Technical
In engineering: 'The capacitor discharged its residual power over several minutes.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “residual power”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “residual power”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “residual power”
- Using 'residue power' (incorrect noun form).
- Confusing with 'residual current' (a specific electrical term).
- Using in informal contexts where 'remaining influence' would be more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Emergency power is special authority activated in a crisis. Residual power is ordinary authority that remains after other powers have been delegated or removed.
Yes, in engineering, it commonly refers to electrical energy remaining in a circuit, battery, or capacitor after the main supply is off.
No. It is a specialised term found primarily in legal, political, and technical documents. In everyday speech, people would say 'remaining influence' or 'leftover authority'.
The plural is 'residual powers'. This is very common in constitutional law (e.g., 'the residual powers of the Crown').
Power or authority that remains or is left over, especially after the primary power has been removed, transferred, or expired.
Residual power is usually formal, technical, legal, academic in register.
Residual power: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈzɪdʒ.u.əl ˈpaʊə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈzɪdʒ.u.əl ˈpaʊ.ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The residual power of the purse”
- “A residual power play”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a RESIDUE (something left behind) of POWER. Like soap residue in a bottle, residual power is the authority 'left in the bottle' after most has been poured out.
Conceptual Metaphor
POWER IS A SUBSTANCE that can leave a residue or remnant.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'residual power' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?