debris

noun

de·​bris də-ˈbrē How to pronounce debris (audio)
dā-ˈbrē, 
ˈdā-ˌbrē
British usually ˈde-(ˌ)brē
plural debris də-ˈbrēz How to pronounce debris (audio)
dā-ˈbrēz, 
ˈdā-ˌbrēz
British usually ˈde-(ˌ)brēz
Synonyms of debris
1
: the remains of something broken down or destroyed
digging through the storm's debris in search of survivors
sifted through the debris of her broken marriage
2
geology : an accumulation of fragments of rock
3
: something discarded : rubbish
picking up debris after the parade

Synonyms of debris

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Examples of debris in a Sentence

After the earthquake, rescuers began digging through the debris in search of survivors. Everything was covered by dust and debris.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This is when impacts of objects ranging in size from microscopic micrometeorites to large asteroids, turns over the regolith, mixing it all up including the radioactive supernova debris. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Rescue operations and clean-up crews are still working in the wake of last week’s devastating debris avalanche and floods in Nepal and Tibet. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 2 Sep. 2026 Every country with satellites in orbit should support a ban on antisatellite weapon tests that result in debris and pursue cooperation on space traffic control to reduce the risk of collisions. — Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026 According to officials, the disaster occurred in north-central Nepal when a distant slope failure involving a glacier triggered a rapidly moving debris flow that traveled roughly 62 miles downstream before striking a populated area. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for debris

Word History

Etymology

French débris, from Middle French, from debriser to break to pieces, from Old French debrisier, from de- + brisier to break, of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish brisid he breaks; perhaps akin to Latin fricare to rub — more at friction

First Known Use

1708, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of debris was in 1708

Rhymes for debris

See All Rhymes for debris

Browse Nearby Words

debrief
debris
debris-avalanche
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Debris.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/debris. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

debris

noun
de·​bris də-ˈbrē How to pronounce debris (audio)
dā-;
ˈdā-ˌbrē
plural debris -ˈbrēz How to pronounce debris (audio)
-ˌbrēz
1
: the remains of something broken down or destroyed : ruins
2
: an accumulation of fragments of rock
3
: something discarded : rubbish

Medical Definition

debris

noun
de·​bris
də-ˈbrē, dā-ˈ, ˈdā-ˌ, British usually ˈdeb-(ˌ)rē
plural debris
: organic waste from dead or damaged tissue
a wound obscured by blood and debris—Emergency Medicine
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