debrief

verb

de·​brief (ˌ)dē-ˈbrēf 

debriefed; debriefing; debriefs

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

intransitive verb

: 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

Examples of debrief in a Sentence

Police debriefed the hostages upon their return.

The pilot was debriefed after his flight.

Recent Examples on the Web

If there were concerns about response to the situation, Richardson said there should have been a meeting to debrief those involved and discuss what could be done better in the future. —Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2025

After the meeting, take time to debrief by asking questions and encouraging reflection. —Liz Guthridge, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025

Models, editors, and movie stars slid into plush banquettes to debrief the evening. —Ian Malone, Vogue, 6 May 2025

Christian Walker dressed, dwelled and debriefed there for the first 49 games of his Astros tenure. —Chandler Rome, New York Times, 25 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for debrief

• belief
• broadleaf
• flyleaf
• khalif
• kharif
• longleaf
• massif
• motif
• relief
• saif
• serif
• beef

Kids 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