wreckage

noun

Save Word

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

Keep scrolling for more

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 Photos of the crash showed a charred heap of wreckage, with the car badly mangled and only recognizable from its tires. — Washington Post, "Tesla breaks with local authorities, claims person was in the driver’s seat during fatal crash in Texas," 26 Apr. 2021 Not all of this wreckage can be laid at the feet of the Sacklers, but a lot of it can. — New York Times, "Patrick Radden Keefe Lays Bare a Drug Crisis Fueled by Family Greed," 13 Apr. 2021 But certain parts of the wreckage, including the ship's hull number, 557, lay beyond that depth. — Azi Paybarah New York Times, Star Tribune, "Deep-water explorers find USS Johnston, a WWII ship sunk in 1944 battle," 10 Apr. 2021 Recovery of the wreckage is now the main focus for investigators, but that timing is uncertain given the terrain and forecast of additional snow. — Mark Thiessen, ajc, "Czech billionaire among 5 killed in Alaska helicopter crash," 30 Mar. 2021 The mayor denied that his certificate was currently suspended and said the true cause of the crash would never be determined because of the condition of the wreckage. — Kenneth Lipp, oregonlive, "Newport mayor likely at fault for running out of fuel on flight that crash-landed, FAA says," 10 Mar. 2021 That Grosjean was able to climb out of the wreckage and into a medical car shortly after the crash appeared nothing short of miraculous. — Amanda Davies And George Ramsay, CNN, "Life after seeing death: How Romain Grosjean's family inspired him as he was engulfed by flames," 22 Feb. 2021 Costales was pinned inside the vehicle, which burst into flames after hitting the tree, and was pulled from the wreckage by police. — Tom Sissom, Arkansas Online, "Woman injured in Tontitown crash dies," 13 Apr. 2021 The driver of the pickup, whose name has not been released, had to be extracted from the wreckage and revived. — Scott D. Pierce, The Salt Lake Tribune, "Utah man charged with auto homicide and DUI," 7 Apr. 2021

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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about wreckage

Dictionary Entries near wreckage

Statistics for wreckage

Last Updated

5 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Wreckage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wreckage. Accessed 7 May. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

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

Keep scrolling for more