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

Flash flood warnings are in effect for much of Ventura County, parts of northern Santa Barbara County and inland Orange County, with residents in burn scars also warned to be prepared for debris flows.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Aerial video from the scene showed charred debris, smouldering vehicles and little remaining of the facility but rubble.

Read more on BBC

County Department of Public Works estimated that, at the end of September, about 20 properties in each burn area, Palisades and Eaton, had failed to clear debris.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The children started playing, scampering up piles of debris.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

There is some risk of flash flooding and debris flows in burn scar areas.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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