What does resultant mean?
Resultant describes something that comes about as the consequence of an action, circumstance, or combination of forces. Its distinctive use is often technical: in mechanics, a resultant is the single vector that represents the combined effect of several forces. In broader writing, the adjective can mean the final outcome or consequence of a process, as in “the resultant reduction in costs.” Although “resulting” is usually the more natural everyday choice, “resultant” is valuable in formal and scientific language because it emphasizes an outcome that follows from particular causes. It can also name a person or thing produced by an event, though this usage is less common. The word should not be confused with “resultant” as a force that is merely similar; it specifically identifies something arising from, or expressing the combined outcome of, other factors.
Arising or existing as a result of an action, event, or process; consequent.
"The accident was the resultant consequence of poor visibility and excessive speed."
More formal than “resulting” and common in technical or explanatory writing.
A person or thing that results from an action or process; in mechanics, the vector representing the combined effect of forces.
"The team used a computer model to determine the resultant of the opposing forces."
The mechanical sense is especially common in physics and engineering.
Usually singular in technical usage when naming a combined force or vector, though the plural is grammatically possible.
"The resultants of the individual motions were added to determine the overall displacement."
A resultant is what remains when forces combine: not an additional push, but the net effect of all the pushes together.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does resultant come from?
The word derives from Medieval Latin resultant-, meaning “resulting,” from Latin resultare, “to spring back” or “to result.” That verb was based on resultus, the past participle of resulere, formed from re-, meaning “back,” and salire, meaning “to leap.” The modern sense developed from the idea of a consequence or outcome that follows from an action or process.
Related word forms
How resultant is actually used
In general prose, “resulting” is more common and direct. “Resultant” is especially frequent in formal, technical, and scientific contexts, where it may refer to a final value or combined effect.