Debris Meaning, Examples, and Usage

Meaning 1：broken pieces from destruction (debris)

debris 🔊

/dəˈbriː/

Small pieces of something that are left after it breaks or is destroyed.

Debris on street after earthquake showing broken concrete and glass

broken pieces from destruction 🔊

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/ˈbroʊkən ˈpiːsɪz frəm dɪˈstrʌkʃən/

Small fragments and scattered remnants left after something is broken or destroyed, such as rubble from a collapsed building.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From French débris, from de- (down, away) + briser (to break).

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a 'day breeze' scattering broken pieces across the ground. 'Debris' sounds like 'day breeze'.

📖 Example

After the earthquake, the streets were covered with debris from collapsed buildings. 🔊 After the earthquake, the streets were covered with debris from collapsed buildings.

🔗 Collocations

debris field – an area covered with scattered debris from an explosion or disaster

debris removal – the process of clearing away broken pieces and waste

debris flow – a fast-moving mixture of water, mud, and broken rocks

🔄 Synonyms

rubble (n.) – broken pieces of stone, brick, or concrete from a building or structure

wreckage (n.) – the remains of something that has been severely damaged or destroyed

fragments (n.) – small parts broken off from a larger whole

📖 Cultural Story

Originating from French, débris literally means 'broken pieces', often used in contexts of destruction like post-war ruins or natural disaster aftermath.