debrief
verb
de·brief
(ˌ)dē-ˈbrēf 
debriefed; debriefing; debriefs
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
: to be interrogated for useful information following a mission, experience, etc. : to be debriefed
After each mission, … the pilots land, disarm and roll into the fuel pit. They spend another hour debriefing with Intelligence …—
Maria Wilhelm
Maria WilhelmExamples of debrief in a Sentence
Police debriefed the hostages upon their return.
The pilot was debriefed after his flight.
Recent Examples on the Web
Since making their water landing, the three Americans and one Canadian who set out on the lunar journey have been busy, spending recent weeks reuniting with family, debriefing the mission and making media appearances – all while adapting to life back on Earth.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
Ben tells João about his argument with Daisy, and João suggests the three of them have a head of department (HOD) dinner that night, to debrief and reset.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2026
Roseman will debrief the draft process.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Fox said Williams was debriefed in September 2015 and signed a nondisclosure agreement.
—Allen G. Breed, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for debrief
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
Ben tells João about his argument with Daisy, and João suggests the three of them have a head of department (HOD) dinner that night, to debrief and reset.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2026
Roseman will debrief the draft process.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Fox said Williams was debriefed in September 2015 and signed a nondisclosure agreement.
—Allen G. Breed, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for debrief
Cite this Entry
“Debrief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/debrief. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
debrief
verb
de·brief
di-ˈbrēf
ˈdē-
: to question (as an astronaut) on return from a mission or assignment in order to obtain useful information
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
