wreckage

noun

wreck·​age ˈre-kij 

1

: the act of wrecking : the state of being wrecked

2

a

: something that has been wrecked

b

: broken and disordered parts or material from something wrecked

Synonyms of wreckage

• devastation
• destruction
• havoc
• demolition
• loss
• extinction

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

Once removed by helicopter, the wreckage will likely have to be flown out on a cargo plane for examination. — Irene Byon, NBC news, 21 Aug. 2026

Both troopers were initially trapped inside the helicopter wreckage, but the corporal was able to push out a window and help the trooper escape, Bivens said. — Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

In Cali, rescuers managed to locate a baby beneath debris after a volunteer heard a faint sound coming from the wreckage. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026

Over the decades, Iran assembled and armed a network of nonstate allies that thrived in the wreckage of American, Israeli, and Saudi wars. — Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

wreckage

noun

wreck·​age ˈrek-ij 

1

a

: the act of wrecking

b

: the state of being wrecked

2

: the remains of a wreck