/ rɪˈmeɪn; NAmE / verb ( formal ) (not usually in the progressive tenses)
1.
linking verb to continue to be sth; to be still in the same state or condition :
[ v - adj ]
to remain silent / standing / seated / motionless
Train fares are likely to remain unchanged.
It remains true that sport is about competing well, not winning.
[ v - n ]
In spite of their quarrel, they remain the best of friends.
He will remain (as) manager of the club until the end of his contract.
2.
[ v ] to still be present after the other parts have been removed, used, etc.; to continue to exist :
Very little of the house remained after the fire.
There were only ten minutes remaining.
3.
to still need to be done, said, or dealt with :
[ v to inf ]
Much remains to be done.
It remains to be seen (= it will only be known later) whether you are right.
[ v ]
There remained one significant problem.
Questions remain about the president's honesty.
[ v ( that )]
I feel sorry for her, but the fact remains (that) she lied to us.
4.
[ v , usually + adv. / prep. ] to stay in the same place; to not leave :
They remained in Mexico until June.
The plane remained on the ground.
She left, but I remained behind.
•
IDIOMS
see aloof
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French remain- , stressed stem of remanoir , from Latin remanere , from re- (expressing intensive force) + manere to stay.