debug

verb

de·​bug (ˌ)dē-ˈbəg How to pronounce debug (audio)
debugged; debugging; debugs

transitive verb

1
: to remove insects from
2
: to eliminate errors in or malfunctions of
debug a computer program
3
: to remove a concealed microphone or wiretapping device from
debugger noun

Examples of debug in a Sentence

She's been hired to write and debug computer programs. the computer program ran much faster after it was debugged
Recent Examples on the Web Women such as Adele Goldstine, Grace Hopper, Kay McNulty, and Betty Snyder developed early computing languages and debugging methods, becoming some of the nation’s earliest and most adept programmers, underrated as that label (and their work) was at the time. Anna Shechtman, The New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2024 Instead, most chatbots today are doing white-collar drudgery — summarizing documents, debugging code, taking notes during meetings — and helping students with their homework. Kevin Roose, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2024 In this arrangement, the student is immersed in hands-on classroom learning about debugging engines and then applies those skills immediately through fixing engines under the supervision of a mentor at a local dealership. Matthew Mayhew, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 The introduction of Gemini ramps up the battle between Google and Microsoft for dominance over new AI tools, which the companies are billing as providing new ways for people to tap into their creativity, manage tasks like debugging code or even to prepare for job interviews. CBS News, 8 Feb. 2024 The crash dump was later moved into Microsoft’s debugging environment. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 19 Jan. 2024 The final gate fell when Storm-0558 managed to compromise a Microsoft engineer’s corporate account, giving the hackers access to the very debugging environment that never should have had the key to begin with. Wes Davis, The Verge, 6 Sep. 2023 Similarly, browser developer tools were made to allow web developers to test and debug their websites’ user interfaces. Surya Mattu, WIRED, 22 Aug. 2023 Finally, python logging can also be used for debugging purposes, as well as providing useful insights into how an application is being used. Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 5 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'debug.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of debug was in 1944

Dictionary Entries Near debug

Cite this Entry

“Debug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/debug. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

debug

verb
de·​bug (ˈ)dē-ˈbəg How to pronounce debug (audio)
: to remove mistakes from
debug a computer program

More from Merriam-Webster on debug

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