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
Fortunately, the lighter rainfall levels have decreased the risk of a debris flow taking place in the Eaton and Palisades fire burn scars, a possibility forecasters warned of Monday.
—
Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
Remove brush and debris piles from around the home.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 June 2025
Satellite imagery showing two Russian A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft with tires and debris on the wings at the Ivanovo air base, Russia, on May 3, 2025.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
Stein estimates the scaling back will cost the state an extra $200 million in federal dollars to clear debris and take emergency measures to safeguard surviving infrastructure.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for debris
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Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
Remove brush and debris piles from around the home.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 June 2025
Satellite imagery showing two Russian A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft with tires and debris on the wings at the Ivanovo air base, Russia, on May 3, 2025.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
Stein estimates the scaling back will cost the state an extra $200 million in federal dollars to clear debris and take emergency measures to safeguard surviving infrastructure.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 29 May 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 7 Jun. 2025.
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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
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