wreckage

American  

[rek-ij] / ˈrɛk ɪdʒ /

noun

1. act of wrecking; wrecking; state of being wrecked.

2. remains or fragments of something that has been wrecked.

   They searched the wreckage for survivors.

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wreckage British  

/ ˈrɛkɪdʒ /

noun

1. same as wreck

2. the act of wrecking or the state of being wrecked; ruin or destruction

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Etymology

Origin of wreckage

First recorded in 1830–40; wreck + -age

Example Sentences

Since the wreckage of the 2007-09 recession, when the Dow careened below 6600, the American economy has zoomed past its rich counterparts to become far larger than that of the European Union.

From The Wall Street Journal

Before we see elephants at Elephant Valley in the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, we come face to face with destruction, only the wreckage is beautiful.

From Los Angeles Times

It had gathered power as it went, adding more melting ice, water, mud, and wreckage.

From Literature

In Tel Aviv, residents still living with the wreckage from Iranian missile strikes last June are speculating about another conflict.

From BBC

He dived down, kicking, staring into the deep, dark, roiling blue—when a hand grabbed him and pulled him up and away from the swirling wreckage.

From Literature

Related Words

• debris
• rubble
• wreck