debrief

verb de·brief \ (ˌ)dē-ˈbrēf \

Definition of debrief

transitive verb

1 :to interrogate (someone, such as a pilot) usually upon return (as from a mission) in order to obtain useful information

The hostages were later debriefed by police.

2 :to carefully review upon completion

debrief the flight

See debrief defined for English-language learners

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Examples of debrief in a Sentence

Police debriefed the hostages upon their return.
The pilot was debriefed after his flight.

Recent Examples of debrief from the Web

That estimate assumes everyone working during the eclipse takes 20 minutes off to watch, and doesn't account for the time spent debriefing with colleagues after.

— alexia elejalde-ruiz, chicagotribune.com, "Eclipse fever at the office? Throw a rooftop party, but don't forget the special glasses," 21 Aug. 2017
On Monday, dozens of high school juniors poured in to get a sense of their new school and get debriefed on their upcoming classes.

— jason ruiter, OrlandoSentinel.com, "New LSSC Science-Health building gives students 'unprecedented' hands-on experience," 14 Aug. 2017
Q. The inspector general report said no formal process was in place to debrief an employee in the event of an attempted or completed suicide.

— meaghan m. mcdermott, USA TODAY, "Q&A: Veteran suicide hotline now answers 9 of 10 calls in 8 seconds," 16 June 2017
One focus is a partnership with the University of Washington where expert math faculty join our teachers in the classroom to model instruction, give feedback and debrief student learning.

— mark wenzel, The Seattle Times, "Guest essay: Don’t leave teacher training out of state school funding," 8 June 2017
Twin Peaks fans had no idea who would be playing Preston in the new series until Episode 3, when singer, model, and actress Chrysta Bell showed up to debrief Lynch’s Agent Gordon Cole and Miguel Ferrer’s Agent Albert Rosenfield.

— joanna robinson, VanityFair.com, "Twin Peaks Star Chrysta Bell on Being David Lynch’s Muse," 7 June 2017
Someday urban planners and retail executives may want to debrief Robert Sietsema.

— steven kurutz, New York Times, "Bleecker Street’s Swerve From Luxe Shops to Vacant Stores," 31 May 2017
However, that appearance would occur only after Comey is fully debriefed for the federal investigation, the source said.

— erin kelly, USA TODAY, "James Comey in early talks with special counsel Mueller on Russia testimony, memos," 30 May 2017
Ahmad, preparing to try him, debriefed Zazi and Ahmedzay at length.

— andy borowitz, The New Yorker, "Taking Down Terrorists in Court," 15 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'debrief.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of debrief

1944

Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

DEBRIEF Defined for English Language Learners

debrief

verb

Definition of debrief for English Language Learners

: to officially question (someone) about a job that has been done or about an experience

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See words that rhyme with debrief Nglish: Translation of debrief for Spanish speakers

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Definition of debrief

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debrief

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debrief

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Other Military Terms

DEBRIEF Defined for English Language Learners

debrief

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