debris

noun

de·bris | \ də-ˈbrē

, dā-ˈbrē, ˈdā-ˌbrē, British usually ˈde-(ˌ)brē\

plural debris\ də-ˈbrēz

, dā-ˈbrēz , ˈdā-ˌbrēz , British usually ˈde-(ˌ)brēz \

Definition of debris

1 : the remains of something broken down or destroyed digging through the storm's debris in search of survivors sifted through the debris of her broken marriage

2 geology : an accumulation of fragments of rock

3 : something discarded : rubbish picking up debris after the parade

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Examples of debris in a Sentence

After the earthquake, rescuers began digging through the debris in search of survivors. Everything was covered by dust and debris.

Recent Examples on the Web

In Bordeaux, in the southwest, French police used tear gas after some protesters set fire to debris from a construction site and tried to force their way past security barriers. — Sylvie Corbet, The Seattle Times, "France’s yellow vest protesters march despite bans, injuries," 30 Mar. 2019 The debris from the crash then initiates a cascading chain reaction of billions of particles, known as an air shower, that blazes toward the ground and emits characteristic ultraviolet light. — Adam Hadhazy, Discover Magazine, "Scientists Hunt for A Seeming Paradox: A Magnet With Only One Pole," 13 Nov. 2018 Bulldozers have cleared debris from most main streets, but the sidewalks are filled with everything imaginable: broken speakers, typewriters, cables, artificial Christmas trees. — Todd Pitman, Fox News, "AP WAS THERE: 2013 typhoon kills thousands in Philippines," 15 Sep. 2018 In Hiroshima Prefecture, a 3-year-old girl was missing after debris from a landslide poured into her house. — New York Times, "‘Battle Against Time’: Japan Floods Leave Dozens Seeking Rescue," 8 July 2018 The cleanups are aimed at preventing trash and debris from washing into the Pacific Ocean. — Joshua Emerson Smith, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Surfrider, volunteers prepare for post-Fourth of July beach cleanup," 3 July 2018 The most massive worlds may have shepherded water-rich debris from the outer solar system to fall on the rocky worlds. — Nola Taylor Redd, Smithsonian, "How Jupiter May Have Gifted Early Earth With Water," 20 June 2018 The second-floor landing outside the apartment where the killings happenedwas covered in debris. — Bianca Padró Ocasio, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Killer 'never made any threats' to 4 children found dead after standoff, Orlando Police chief says," 13 June 2018 Responding to nine different distress calls, the TARDIS deposits the crew on the mysterious titular world, rife with debris from long-ago battles. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Doctor Who wraps a solid season with its first female Time Lord," 12 Dec. 2018

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