debris

noun

AUSduh-BREE/dəˈbɹiː/UKDEB-ree/ˈdɛbɹi/

4 meanings of debris

1
noununcountable
Broken pieces left after something is smashed, blown up, or wrecked.
Like the bits left on the floor when a plate breaks into pieces.
The storm left debris all over the road.
Workers cleared the debris after the building fell down.
Similarwreckage, rubble, detritus
Note
2
noununcountable
Trash and garbage that people leave lying around.
Like the mess of wrappers and cups left behind after a big party.
We picked up the debris in the park after the picnic.
The river was full of debris like cans and bottles.
Similartrash, garbage, junk, litter, rubbish
Note
3
noununcountable
What is left of a building that has fallen apart.
Like what is left of a sandcastle after a wave knocks it down.
Only debris was left where the old house once stood.
Children should not play near the debris of the broken wall.
Similarruins, rubble, wreckage, remains
4
noununcountable
Big pieces of broken rock left behind when a glacier melts.
Like the bits of rock and sand a melting ice cube leaves on a table.
The melting glacier left huge debris all over the valley.
Hikers climbed over rocky debris near the foot of the glacier.
Similartill, drift
Note

Practice

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Origin

Debris comes from French débris, meaning something broken. It goes back to old words meaning 'to break apart' or 'shatter'.