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
Synonyms
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
As authorities worked to recover the bodies and clear the shipping channel of debris, the pipeline, which measures 24 inches in diameter, lay underneath the salvage area.
—
Hayes Gardner, Baltimore Sun, 28 June 2024
It’s designed for hardwood floors and tile to mop up any spills and vacuum away debris.
—Jessica Copeland, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2024
In 2009, two satellites collided over Siberia adding far more more debris into space, according to an American Scientist report that year.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 28 June 2024
Both can reduce debris or items that attract the boxelder bugs.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for debris 
Hayes Gardner, Baltimore Sun, 28 June 2024
It’s designed for hardwood floors and tile to mop up any spills and vacuum away debris.
—Jessica Copeland, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2024
In 2009, two satellites collided over Siberia adding far more more debris into space, according to an American Scientist report that year.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 28 June 2024
Both can reduce debris or items that attract the boxelder bugs.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for debris
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'debris.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Debris.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/debris. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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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
Emergency MedicineLove words? Need even more definitions?
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