wreckage

[rek-ij]

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.

wreckage

/ ˈrɛkɪdʒ /

noun

1. same as wreck

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of wreckage¹

First recorded in 1830–40; wreck + -age

Example Sentences

Flawed engineering and inadequate testing contributed to the catastrophic implosion of a private submersible during a 2023 expedition to the Titanic wreckage, the US National Transportation Safety Board said Wednesday.

Read more on Barron's

The sudden collapse of auto-parts giant First Brands Group has left Wall Street firms sorting through the wreckage.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The mid-credits scene shows Julian taking in the wreckage of his digital world before noticing and activating his identity disc.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The wreckage of two ambulances still lies on the road because rescuers risk being targeted again if they try to remove them.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

One passenger was ejected and landed 10 feet away from the chopper, and another was pinned beneath the wreckage, authorities said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• debris 
• rubble 
• wreck