debrief

verb

de·​brief (ˌ)dē-ˈbrēf How to pronounce debrief (audio)
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
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.
Key got to Newport on Saturday, June 22, debriefing with Fitch over dinner. Zack Rosenblatt, The Athletic, 9 July 2024 At the test’s end, our group gathered under an oak tree to debrief. Ben Goldfarb, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024 After the airport, Lewis-Martin went to Aidala’s office and, after debriefing with him, went on his evening program, as scheduled. Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2024 In debriefing the news with our producing team, this was the question, our biggest disappointment remained that more people hadn’t even gotten the chance to see the first season. Sasha Leigh Henry, refinery29.com, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for debrief 

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of debrief was in 1944

Dictionary Entries Near debrief

Cite this Entry

“Debrief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/debrief. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

debrief

verb
de·​brief di-ˈbrēf How to pronounce debrief (audio)
ˈdē-
: to question (as an astronaut) on return from a mission or assignment in order to obtain useful information

More from Merriam-Webster on debrief

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