debris noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes | Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com

Definition of debris noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

debris

noun
 
/ˈdebriː/,
 
/ˈdeɪbriː/
 
/dəˈbriː/
[uncountable]
jump to other results
  1. pieces of wood, metal, building materials, etc. that are left after something has been destroyed
    • Emergency teams are still clearing the debris from the plane crash.
    • Several people were injured by flying debris in the explosion.
    Extra Examples
    • Debris rained down around them.
    • Police have spent the day sifting through the debris for clues.
    • She found a pair of children's shoes among the debris.
    • The tank exploded, scattering debris all over the field.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • falling
    • flying
    • food
    … of debris
    • piece
    • heap
    • pile
    verb + debris
    • scatter
    • send
    • clear
    debris + verb
    • accumulate
    • fly
    • fall
    preposition
    • among the debris
    • in the debris
    See full entry
  2. (formal) rubbish or pieces of material that are left somewhere and are not wanted
    • Clear away leaves and other garden debris from the pond.
    • the debris of their lunch
    Extra Examples
    • Remember to clear the drain of debris regularly.
    • These worms feed on plant debris.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • falling
    • flying
    • food
    … of debris
    • piece
    • heap
    • pile
    verb + debris
    • scatter
    • send
    • clear
    debris + verb
    • accumulate
    • fly
    • fall
    preposition
    • among the debris
    • in the debris
    See full entry
  3. Word Originearly 18th cent.: from French débris, from obsolete débriser ‘break down’.
See debris in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee debris in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
brink
noun
 
 
From the Topic
Danger
C2
Oxford Learner's Dictionaries Word of the Day