Showing results for "debriefing"

• present participle of debrief.

debriefing

American  

[dee-bree-fing] / diˈbri fɪŋ /

noun

• debriefings
  plural

1. the process or an instance of formally and systematically questioning participants in order to assess the conduct and results of a mission, project, therapeutic process, etc..

   After the event, a detailed debriefing was conducted to ensure that all possible lessons were learned.

   Empirical studies could evaluate what qualities of therapeutic debriefing most influence patient learning and change.

2. the process or an instance of formally and systematically questioning someone in order to obtain useful intelligence or information.

   Informant debriefings indicated that the primary sources of heroin are New York City–based trafficking organizations.

   Once the tactical debriefing was accomplished, the interrogation crew would determine which prisoners were significant enough to be targeted for high-level interrogation.

3. an instance of information gathering or disclosure.

   Your guide will be able to give you an important safety debriefing and make sure you know what to expect.

4. Psychology. the process or an instance of disclosing information after an experiment in order to inform a subject of the purpose and reasons for any deception or manipulation.

   Another goal of the debriefing is for the researcher to obtain participants' reactions to the study itself.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• debriefings
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of debriefing

debrief ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

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Explanation

A debriefing is a thorough report given by a spy, government agent, or soldier after a mission has ended. During a debriefing, the subject is usually questioned extensively. While a debriefing is typically used for a supervisor to gain as much information as possible about secret, dangerous, or controversial missions, there are also other types of debriefings. After a natural disaster or other traumatic event, counselors sometimes hold debriefings, allowing victims to reflect and deal with trauma. The word was first used in the US military toward the end of World War Two, from the sense of brief that means "inform or instruct."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

debriefing debriefings

After monitoring practice, debriefing his team and entertaining sponsors under the floodlights, he winds down for bed around 3:30 a.m., which is 9:30 p.m. back in central Europe.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

Either way, I’m sure there was a debriefing later.

From Salon ● Jan. 23, 2026

Nursing a cider at Highland Park Bowl, Maris recalled the late nights she used to spend with Maddux, debriefing her shows over McDonald’s.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 2, 2025

Along with their superior speed, the Roche products seem competitive with Illumina’s in accuracy, according to Guggenheim’s report on the debriefing.

From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2025

Blake sat with Rodin on the bench and described his arrival in England and debriefing by MI6.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau

In conversations with executives both in the room and in debriefings afterward, Sonnenfeld said business leaders told him they wanted more discussions on ways to safeguard against AI and its possibilities for harm.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

The plea deal requires him to submit to polygraph tests during those debriefings, according to the Associated Press news agency.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2024

Defense attorneys for Gutierrez-Reed say problems on the “Rust” set were beyond the control of their client and have pointed to shortcomings in the collection of evidence and debriefings after the fatal shooting.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 27, 2024

There were no debriefings with the Israeli government, Yo said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 20, 2023

My interview with Sir John Balliol had to be in the debriefing room—I suppose they do briefings there as well as debriefings, but that’s what everybody calls it.

From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein

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Related Words

• interrogate

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