Something that's supplemental is added when there's a lack or deficiency. You might feed the runt from a litter of puppies supplemental milk because he can't get enough from his mother.
There are four meanings listed in OED's entry for the word supplemental, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
supplemental, adj. & n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English ...
Define supplemental. supplemental synonyms, supplemental pronunciation, supplemental translation, English dictionary definition of supplemental. n. 1. Something added to complete a thing, make up for a deficiency, or extend or strengthen the whole. 2. A section added to a book or document to give...
Supplemental things are added to something in order to improve it. You'll probably be able to buy supplemental insurance at an extra cost. Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers. 1. See supplementary. 2. See nonscheduled (sense 2) 4. Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC.
supplemental (plural supplementals) Something that supplements or adds to. A requisition or article of legislation that provides additional funding for a program.
The use of 'supplemental' gained prominence in various fields such as education, healthcare, and business, where it describes resources or information added to improve or support a primary focus.
Supplemental can be defined as something that is added to complete, enhance, or support something else. It is additional or serving as a supplement, often provided as an extra element to improve or make up for a lack in something.