debris
DEHB-ree
Debris (noun) means Scattered pieces of wreckage, rubble, or litter left after something is destroyed or broken apart. Example: “After the storm, the street was covered in broken branches and other debris.”
noun
1
Scattered pieces of wreckage, rubble, or litter left after something is destroyed or broken apart.
"After the storm, the street was covered in broken branches and other debris."
"Melissa Foley clears debris in her neighborhood as the San Lorenzo River rises in Felton on Saturday, January 14."
— , California’s flooding, in pictures (2023)
"His neighbors were still ripping out debris. But Mr. Ryan, a retired bricklayer who built his house by hand 30 years ago only to lose most of it to Hurricane Sandy, was already hard at work rebuilding."
— David M. Halbfinger, On Ravaged Coastline, It’s Rebuild Deliberately vs. Rebuild Now (2012)
"Firefighters searched through the debris for survivors."
"Space debris from old satellites still orbits the Earth."
How to use debris
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe broken bits and pieces left behind after destruction — from a crash, storm, or explosion.
Common pairings
scattered debris
clear the debris
space debris
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After the storm, the street was covered in broken branches and other _____.
Etymology
From French débris, from Old French debrisier, "to break apart" — ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "to break violently."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “debris” mean?
The word “debris” means scattered pieces of wreckage, rubble, or litter left after something is destroyed or broken apart. In plain terms, the broken bits and pieces left behind after destruction — from a crash, storm, or explosion.
How do you pronounce “debris”?
“Debris” is pronounced DEHB-ree (/dəˈbɹiː/ in IPA).
How do you use “debris” in a sentence?
Here is “debris” used in a sentence: “Firefighters searched through the debris for survivors.”
What is another word for “debris”?
Words with a similar meaning to “debris” include detritus, remains, ruins, rubbish, rubble and wreckage.
What part of speech is “debris”?
“Debris” is a noun.
Where does the word “debris” come from?
The word “debris” comes from Old French. From French débris, from Old French debrisier, "to break apart" — ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "to break violently.".
Is “debris” a common word?
“Debris” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
Is 'debris' singular or plural?
Debris is an uncountable (mass) noun and takes a singular verb, as in 'the debris was cleared away.' It has no separate plural form, so you would not say 'debrises.'
What is the difference between 'debris' and 'rubble'?
Rubble refers specifically to broken pieces of stone, brick, or concrete, usually from a collapsed building. Debris is a broader term for any scattered fragments left after something is destroyed, including wood, metal, or litter.
What is the difference between 'debris' and 'litter'?
Litter is rubbish or trash that people drop or leave lying around. Debris is scattered wreckage or fragments left after something is broken or destroyed, rather than casually discarded waste.
What words are commonly used with 'debris'?
Common combinations include 'space debris,' 'flying debris,' 'storm debris,' and 'debris field.' The word also pairs often with 'scattered,' 'clear,' or 'remove.'
