Definition

1. Noun:
   • The scattered fragments or remains of something that has been destroyed, broken, or discarded. This refers to the broken, loose pieces left after a destructive event, accident, or demolition.

Usage

• Debris is an uncountable noun. It refers to the collective mass of fragments, not to individual pieces. You can use quantifiers like "some," "a lot of," or "pieces of" with it.
• It is commonly used in contexts describing the aftermath of natural disasters, accidents, explosions, construction, or demolition.

Examples

• After the tornado, the streets were filled with debris from destroyed houses.
• Rescue workers cleared the debris from the collapsed building.
• The explosion scattered debris over a wide area.
• Be careful not to step on the sharp debris.

Advanced Usage

• "Space debris" or "orbital debris": Refers to defunct human-made objects in space, such as old satellites and rocket parts.
  • Scientists are tracking the growing problem of space debris.
• "Debris field": A specific area covered with scattered wreckage.
  • The search team located the plane's debris field in the ocean.

Variants and Related Words

• Detritus (n): A more formal or geological term for debris or waste material, often from erosion or decay.
  • The forest floor was covered in organic detritus.
• Rubble (n): Specifically refers to broken stones, bricks, and other materials from destroyed buildings or structures.
  • The bulldozers moved in to clear the rubble.

Synonyms

• Rubble: Broken bits of stone, brick, or concrete.
• Wreckage: The remains of something that has been badly damaged or destroyed, especially a vehicle or building.
• Remains: What is left after other parts have been removed or used.
• Fragments: Small parts broken off from something larger.

Related Phrases

• "Clear away the debris": To remove the scattered fragments.
  • Volunteers helped clear away the debris after the storm.
• "Sift through the debris": To search carefully through the fragments, often to find something.
  • Archaeologists sifted through the debris to find artifacts.

Noun

1. the remains of something that has been destroyed or broken up