debris

Or dé·bris

[duh-bree, dey-bree, deb-ree]

noun

1. the remains of anything broken down or destroyed; ruins; rubble.

   the debris of buildings after an air raid.

   Synonyms: trash, litter, detritus

2. Geology.,  an accumulation of loose fragments of rock.

debris

/ ˈdɛbrɪ, ˈdeɪbrɪ /

noun

1. fragments or remnants of something destroyed or broken; rubble

2. a collection of loose material derived from rocks, or an accumulation of animal or vegetable matter

Word History and Origins

Origin of debris¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of debris¹

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

Example Sentences

The debris, usually bits of rock or ice, hits the Earth's atmosphere and burns up because of the friction, sending light streaks across the night sky.

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In the paper, the team writes, "As woody debris represents a major carbon source in forests, associations with wood-decaying fungi may enhance carbon acquisition, especially in warm, humid habitats."

Read more on Science Daily

He shared photographs from Maslova Pristan showing a sports centre with its roof and walls blown apart, and said rescue workers were clearing debris and assessing the damage.

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Army Corps of Engineers completed its debris removal in Altadena after January’s fire tore through the town, the task to clean what survived didn’t stop.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The toll includes at least two people who were freed from the debris but later died in hospital.

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Related Words

• detritus 
• junk 
• remains 
• rubbish 
• rubble 
• trash 
• wreck 
• wreckage