debris

noun de·bris \ də-ˈbrē , dā-ˈ , ˈdā-ˌ , British usually ˈde-(ˌ)brē \

|Updated on: 18 Aug 2018

Examples: debris in a Sentence

Definition of debris

plural debris play \-ˈbrēz, -ˌbrēz\

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

See debris defined for English-language learners

See debris defined for kids

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 of debris from the Web

The Mud Creek Slide, which rained debris in one of the state’s largest landslides, destroyed a quarter-mile section of roadway on May 20, 2017.

— mary forgione, latimes.com, "Big Sur road coming back: Highway 1, closed for a year and a half because of massive slide, to reopen by July 20," 4 July 2018
It is estimated that Americans use 500 million straws per day and straws are among the top 10 marine debris collected during the International Coastal Cleanup, according to Sailors for the Sea, a nonprofit organization.

— david pan, USA TODAY, "Plastic straw ban goes into effect in Seattle. Is Portland next?," 2 July 2018
Three other vehicles were struck by crash debris but none of the drivers was hurt, according to a State Patrol memo.

— sara jean green, The Seattle Times, "State Patrol: Suspect in deadly head-on crash near Arlington convicted of DUI six times," 2 July 2018
Scientists are actively looking into cleaning up space debris.

— anna diamond, Smithsonian, "Do Marine Mammals Yawn and More Questions From Our Readers," 28 June 2018
Local cyclists say that the new lanes on Grand are often blocked by construction, debris or buses.

— sarah gish, kansascity, "Will Kansas City ever be bike-friendly? The city is about to roll out a plan," 13 July 2018
The blast rained debris up and down the street and leveled the Barr House, a tavern Barr owned.

— todd richmond, chicagotribune.com, "Communications subcontractor 'on site' ahead of fatal Wisconsin blast that killed firefighter, injured 11," 12 July 2018
Yard debris including leaves, grass and tree limbs cannot be burned and must be disposed of through curbside trash removal, the solid waste service transfer site or the landfill.

— zaz hollander, Anchorage Daily News, "Anchorage burn ban eased amid cool and rainy weather," 12 July 2018
Storm debris is still being hauled away from 26 municipalities, but should be completed by mid-June, FEMA officials said.

— frances robles, New York Times, "FEMA Was Sorely Unprepared for Puerto Rico Hurricane, Report Says," 12 July 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.

Origin and Etymology of debris

French débris, from Middle French, from debriser to break to pieces, from Old French debrisier, from de- + brisier to break, of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish brisid he breaks; perhaps akin to Latin fricare to rub — more at friction

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1708

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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debris Synonyms

DEBRIS Defined for English Language Learners

debris

noun

Definition of debris for English Language Learners

: the pieces that are left after something has been destroyed
: things (such as broken pieces and old objects) that are lying where they fell or that have been left somewhere because they are not wanted