wreckage

noun

wreck·age | \ˈre-kij

\

Definition of wreckage

1 : the act of wrecking : the state of being wrecked

2a : something that has been wrecked

b : broken and disordered parts or material from something wrecked

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about wreckage

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Examples of wreckage in a Sentence

Workers sifted through the wreckage of the building, searching for bodies. They cleared the wreckage from the track.

Recent Examples on the Web

Some details are small-yet-important, while others change more than half the frame, transforming some nondescript backlot into the twisting wreckage of future Las Vegas. — Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, "The 'Blade Runner 2049' VFX Reel Is a Sci-Fi Work of Art," 26 Dec. 2017 At least eight vehicles were trapped in the wreckage of the bridge and at least 10 people have been transported to hospitals, officials and doctors told news conferences. — Rebecca Hazen, Houston Chronicle, "West University Place conducts drainage study," 7 July 2018 Electrical arcing due to deficient insulation was found in the wreckage. — John Cox, USA TODAY, "Accidents that changed aviation: Controlling in-flight fires," 10 June 2018 To add to the wreckage, Tony Cingrani exited after facing one batter after feeling pain in his left shoulder. — Andy Mccullough, latimes.com, "Matt Kemp's offensive showing not enough in 11-9 Dodgers' loss to the Pirates," 7 June 2018 At some point those fishermen began diving down to the wreckage, submerged beneath 85 feet of water in the heavily trafficked Java Sea, south of Singapore and near Borneo. — Lorraine Boissoneault, Smithsonian, "An 800-Year-Old Shipwreck Helps Archaeologists Piece Together Asia’s Maritime Trade," 17 May 2018 What was documented is that one of the Chinese men was later found clinging to a large piece of floating wood by the one main lifeboat that chose to return to the wreckage to search for signs of life. — Amy B Wang, Washington Post, "Why you’ve never heard of the six Chinese men who survived the Titanic," 19 Apr. 2018 Officials also confirmed one person died in the wreckage. — Anna Beahm, AL.com, "Missing plane wreckage found in St. Clair County," 30 Mar. 2018 Robinson and one of his passengers rushed to the wreckage while the other called police. — Stefan Stevenson, star-telegram, "Horrific night changed Alex Robinson and helped lead him back to TCU | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 2 Mar. 2018

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

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Statistics for wreckage

Last Updated

8 Oct 2018

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Time Traveler for wreckage

The first known use of wreckage was in 1837

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More Definitions for wreckage

wreckage

noun

English Language Learners Definition of wreckage

: the broken parts of a vehicle, building, etc., that has been badly damaged or destroyed

See the full definition for wreckage in the English Language Learners Dictionary

wreckage

noun

wreck·age | \ˈre-kij

\

Kids Definition of wreckage

1 : the remains of a wreck I therefore set out … to search for whatever wreckage the waves had washed ashore.— Scott O'Dell, Island of the Blue Dolphins

2 : the act of wrecking : the state of being wrecked

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