debridement

noun

de·​bride·​ment di-ˈbrēd-mənt 

dā-, 

-ˌmänt, 

dā-brēd-ˈmäⁿ 

medical

: the usually surgical removal of lacerated, devitalized, or contaminated tissue

debride

di-ˈbrēd  dā- 

transitive verb

Examples of debridement in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the Cleveland Clinic, this includes surgical debridement, draining fluid from blisters, and, in more dire cases, amputation of affected limbs. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026

While small, low-quality studies have indicated that maggot therapy is safe and effective at wound debridement, robust trials and evidence are lacking. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 17 June 2026

Gonzalez underwent a left shoulder arthroscopic debridement, per the club. — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026

Austin underwent surgery Tuesday for a patellar tendon debridement in his right knee that will sideline him for months. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French débridement, from débrider to remove adhesions, literally, to unbridle, from Middle French desbrider, from des- de- + bride bridle, from Middle High German brīdel — more at bridle

First Known Use

circa 1842, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

debridement

noun

de·​bride·​ment di-ˈbrēd-mənt  dā- 

-ˌmänt, 

-ˌmäⁿ

: the usually surgical removal of lacerated, devitalized, or contaminated tissue