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

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

Synonyms of debris

• garbage
• trash
• dust
• rubbish
• junk
• rubble
• litter
• sewage
• truck

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

The last decade has been marked by turmoil in the region from major wildfires that forced evacuations and destroyed homes, causing burn scars that fostered dangerous debris flows. —Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026

Last but not least, make sure to clean your gutters and remove any clogs and debris before winter so that melting snow can freely drain away. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 27 Jan. 2026

Additionally, furnaces and fireplaces should be checked annually, generators should be used outside the home and garage, and vents for dryers, furnaces, stoves and fireplaces should be clear of debris, Nolan said. —Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2026

The flaming debris was clearly visible across Florida, from Tampa to Miami. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1708, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for debris

• agree
• allee
• banshee
• beastly
• bibi
• bowsprit
• carefree
• cerci
• chablis
• cowpea
• crappie
• crappy

Kids Definition

debris

noun

de·​bris də-ˈbrē 

dā-;

ˈdā-ˌbrē

plural debris -ˈbrēz 

-ˌbrēz

1

: the remains of something broken down or destroyed : ruins

2

: an accumulation of fragments of rock

3

: something discarded : rubbish

Medical Definition

debris

noun

de·​bris

də-ˈbrē, dā-ˈ, ˈdā-ˌ, British usually ˈdeb-(ˌ)rē

plural debris

: organic waste from dead or damaged tissue

a wound obscured by blood and debris

—Emergency Medicine