definitions

debacle

[ dey-bah-kuhl, -bak-uhl, duh- ]
/ deɪˈbɑ kəl, -ˈbæk əl, də- /
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noun

a general breakup or dispersion; sudden downfall or rout: The revolution ended in a debacle.
a complete collapse or failure.
a breaking up of ice in a river.Compare embacle.
a violent rush of waters or ice.

RELATED WORDS

breakdown, devastation, crash, disaster, wreck, drubbing, rout, fiasco, downfall, failure, reversal, defeat, beating, collapse, ruination, smash, ruin, licking, havoc, overthrow

Nearby words

deattribution, deauville, deave, deb, deb., debacle, debag, debakey, debanding, debar, debark

Origin of debacle

1795–1805; < French débâcle, derivative of débâcler to unbar, clear, equivalent to dé- dis-1 + bâcler to bar ≪ Latin baculum stick, rod
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for debacle

British Dictionary definitions for debacle

debacle

/ (deɪˈbɑːkəl, dɪ-) /

noun

a sudden disastrous collapse or defeat, esp one involving a disorderly retreat; rout
the breaking up of ice in a river during spring or summer, often causing flooding
a violent rush of water carrying along debris

Word Origin for debacle

C19: from French débâcle, from Old French desbacler to unbolt, ultimately from Latin baculum rod, staff
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012