View synonyms for

debris

or ��é·��

[ duh-bree, dey-breeor, especially British, deb-ree ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the remains of anything broken down or destroyed; ruins; rubble:
the debris of buildings after an air raid.
Synonyms: , ,
Geology. an accumulation of loose fragments of rock.

debris

/ ˈdɛbrɪ; ˈdeɪbrɪ /

noun

fragments or remnants of something destroyed or broken; rubble
a collection of loose material derived from rocks, or an accumulation of animal or vegetable matter

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Word History and Origins

Origin of debris¹

First recorded in 1700–10; from French ��é��, Middle French debris, derivative of debriser “to break up (into pieces),” Old French debrisier, from de- de- + brisier “to break” ( bruise )

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Word History and Origins

Origin of debris¹

C18: from French, from obsolete debrisier to break into pieces, from bruisier to shatter, of Celtic origin

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

After a previous conflict in Gaza in 2009, a UN survey of the territory found asbestos in debris from older buildings, sheds, temporary building extensions, roofs and the walls of livestock enclosures.

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While walking through the debris fields in his old neighborhood, Aparicio was drawn to pieces of glass that had morphed into an iridescent color and slumped over from the heat of the fire.

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The fireballs are created by debris from Comet Thatcher, which takes more than 400 years to orbit the Sun and was discovered in 1861 by A. E. Thatcher.

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On the Westside, the debris removal has been complicated by the constricted roads in and out of the burn zone.

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Unlike most of those who are searching through the debris of January’s fires, this isn’t the first time we’ve excavated the rubble of destroyed lives.

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Related Words

debriefing debris bug

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