plural debris
də-ˈbrēz 
dā-ˈbrēz,
ˈdā-ˌbrēz,
British usually ˈde-(ˌ)brēz
1
: the remains of something broken down or destroyed
digging through the storm's debris in search of survivors
sifted through the debris of her broken marriage
2
geology
: an accumulation of fragments of rock
3
: something discarded : rubbish
picking up debris after the parade
Examples of debris in a Sentence
After the earthquake, rescuers began digging through the debris in search of survivors.
Everything was covered by dust and debris.
Recent Examples on the Web
Those headed to Asheville can help with debris removal and rebuilding projects through All Hands and Hearts and the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, while Los Angeles visitors can volunteer with L.A. Works to repair homes, assemble food packages and organize clothes for survivors.
—
Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
Associated Press video showed the hospital’s caved-in roof surrounded by debris.
—Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2025
There, untouched in the debris field, are opera glasses that might have belonged to theater owner, Henry B. Harris, who died in the sinking.
—Sean Kingsley, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2025
As for the cleanup of tent city, ATI Restoration crews have removed 233 tons of debris from the 6-acre site at a cost of $2 million, $500,000 less than the city had expected to pay, Kozal said.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debris
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Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
Associated Press video showed the hospital’s caved-in roof surrounded by debris.
—Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2025
There, untouched in the debris field, are opera glasses that might have belonged to theater owner, Henry B. Harris, who died in the sinking.
—Sean Kingsley, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2025
As for the cleanup of tent city, ATI Restoration crews have removed 233 tons of debris from the 6-acre site at a cost of $2 million, $500,000 less than the city had expected to pay, Kozal said.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debris
Cite this Entry
“Debris.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/debris. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
debris
noun
de·bris
də-ˈbrē, dā-ˈ, ˈdā-ˌ, British usually ˈdeb-(ˌ)rē
plural debris
: organic waste from dead or damaged tissue
a wound obscured by blood and debris—Emergency Medicine
Emergency MedicineLove words? Need even more definitions?
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