noun
-
fragments or remnants of something destroyed or broken; rubble
-
a collection of loose material derived from rocks, or an accumulation of animal or vegetable matter
Etymology
Origin of debris
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 )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
People have been advised to stay in the lower levels of their homes, avoid windows, watch for falling debris and tree limbs, and use caution if they want to drive.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026
Nearly 15 million cubic meters of ice and debris collapse into the lake.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026
Interlune plans to estimate how much helium-3 is in the lunar regolith — that is, moon debris — through a lunar rover mission carried out with Astrolab in 2028.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026
Operations to check for any more worshippers are continuing and the debris is being cleared.
From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026
The other was a fickle thing, popping out at the most inconvenient times, rolling across the forest floor and picking up debris.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
