noun
debris
DEHB-ree
noun
1
Scattered pieces of wreckage, rubble, or litter left after something is destroyed or broken apart.
"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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Firefighters searched through the _____ for survivors.
Etymology
From French débris, from Old French debrisier, "to break apart" — ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "to break violently."