debrief

American  

[dee-breef] / diˈbrif /

verb (used with object)

• debriefs,
  present (3rd person singular)
• debriefed,
  past participle,  past
• debriefing
  present participle

1. to interrogate (a soldier, astronaut, diplomat, etc.) on return from a mission in order to assess the conduct and results of the mission.

2. to question formally and systematically in order to obtain useful intelligence or information.

   Political and economic experts routinely debrief important defectors about conditions in their home country.

3. to subject to prohibitions against revealing or discussing classified information, as upon separation from a position of military or political sensitivity.

4. Psychology. (after an experiment) to disclose to the subject the purpose of the experiment and any reasons for deception or manipulation.

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debrief British  

/ diːˈbriːf /

verb

1. (of a soldier, astronaut, diplomat, etc) to make or (of his superiors) to elicit a report after a mission or event Compare brief

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• debriefer
  noun
• debriefing
  noun

Inflected Forms

Participles

• debriefing
  present
• debriefed
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• debrief
  simple
• debriefs
  simple
• have debriefed
  perfect
• has debriefed
  perfect
• am debriefing
  progressive
• are debriefing
  progressive
• is debriefing
  progressive
• have been debriefing
  perfect progressive
• has been debriefing
  perfect progressive

Past

• debriefed
  simple
• had debriefed
  perfect
• was debriefing
  progressive
• were debriefing
  progressive
• had been debriefing
  perfect progressive

Future

• will debrief
  simple
• will have debriefed
  perfect
• will be debriefing
  progressive
• will have been debriefing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of debrief

First recorded in 1940–45; de- + brief

Explanation

When you debrief someone, you interview the person about an experience, project, or mission they've completed. A soldier's commanding officer might debrief her after a particularly difficult battle. Spies and military personnel might expect their superiors to debrief them after a mission — the process is called a debriefing, and it includes questions about the experience and instructions about which details must be kept classified. Educators and counselors sometimes also debrief people, particularly those who have experienced tragedy or trauma, and who can be helped by talking through their experiences. The word debrief emerged at the end of World War II, originally as a military term.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

debrief debriefs debriefed debriefing

“Flight debrief complete. No reprimands. No firings. No problem,” Cao wrote on social media.

From Salon ● Jul. 19, 2026

“Flight debrief complete. No reprimands. No firings. No problem. That’s the sound of Freedom!,” acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao wrote in a social-media post on Thursday afternoon.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026

Get some clarity on a wild Supreme Court term: Sometimes the best way to stop spiraling about the news is to debrief with smart friends.

From Slate ● Jul. 9, 2026

Rushing, in his first game back in the lineup after being removed Monday to rule out a concussion, huddled with Ohtani and pitching coach Mark Prior on the mound to debrief.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 25, 2026

“The thing is,” I say, after my breathless debrief, “the timing is all so bizarre, I mean why now? Why me?”

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed

In another video, the same woman debriefs the experience: “I just blacked out and spent nearly 600 euros at the French pharmacies. So, let’s go through everything I got.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

Hardin says the team debriefs after each season to discuss what worked as they develop the next installment.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2025

In relation to some objections, he added that to "compare this event with Glastonbury" was not helpful, and that debriefs from the 2023 festival were "very, very positive".

From BBC ● Jan. 19, 2024

“We joked about that,” admitted Reddick’s crew chief, Billy Scott, “that he’s the only one that sits in our debriefs without a win.”

From Washington Times ● Sep. 10, 2023

Fans have been gathering online to do all this since before the turn of the century, but in recent years, shows have started producing their own post-episode debriefs.

From New York Times ● Oct. 28, 2021

After a few dates, the 27-year-old debriefed her two best friends over lunch.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

Zelensky described the talks in the United States as "very constructive", adding that decisions would be taken on Ukraine's "further activities" once the delegation returning from there had been debriefed.

From Barron's ● Dec. 1, 2025

LaRosa had exhaustively studied how it might happen safely and ensured everyone was properly debriefed.

From Seattle Times ● May 17, 2024

We debriefed Dingell to get her read on the results.

From New York Times ● Feb. 28, 2024

Once we leave Blackstone Prison, Lord Kensington brings me to the Department of Supernatural Investigations to be debriefed, same as the adult agents whenever they get back from an important mission.

From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston

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

Kevin was never shy of letting the dressing room know his thoughts when debriefing a match, or when discussing the team's approach.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

Officials are debriefing after chaos broke out on the Newport Beach Peninsula Saturday, leading more than 400 arrests.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026

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

From Salon ● Jan. 23, 2026

I must record last night’s debriefing because it was so funny.

From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein

Related Words

• interrogate