redundancy
In employment contexts, this term carries a heavy emotional weight, signaling a forced termination not due to performance but due to structural changes. It is a formal, corporate euphemism used to soften the blow of job loss, though it remains a legal term in many labor jurisdictions.
In technical and linguistic fields, the word shifts toward a neutral or positive connotation. In engineering, it describes a safety net where backup systems prevent catastrophic failure. In linguistics, it refers to tautology or unnecessary repetition that can clutter communication without adding value.
Meanings
The state of being no longer needed or useful, especially in employment.
The company announced a series of redundancies to cut costs.
Examples
The company announced a series of redundancies to cut costs.
The phrase free gift is a common redundancy in advertising.
The aircraft is designed with triple redundancy in its flight control systems.