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

Authorities were scrambling to reach people stranded in floodwater-filled homes or cut off entirely by debris that has blocked roads and taken out communications and electricity.

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Fire services said the wind and drifting debris likely spread the fire from one building to another.

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The fierce heat of the blaze, as well as dangerous debris and the risk posed from collapsing scaffolding, has hampered rescue efforts, but the fire department has so far rescued 55 people.

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Authorities are therefore focusing on clearing debris to reach the isolated locations and provide assistance, he added.

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The region also holds numerous craters formed by incoming space debris.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

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