Definition

1. Verb:
   • To unload passengers from a bus: "debus" means to cause passengers to get off a bus.
   • To unload goods from a vehicle: It also refers to removing cargo or freight from a bus or similar vehicle.
   • To alight from a bus: Used intransitively, it means for passengers to get off a bus themselves.

Usage Examples

• Transitive verb:

  • The driver debussed the tourists at the hotel entrance. (The driver helped the tourists get off the bus.)
  • The crew debussed the supplies from the military vehicle. (The crew unloaded the goods from the vehicle.)

• Intransitive verb:

  • The passengers debussed quickly when the bus arrived at the station. (The passengers got off the bus promptly.)

Advanced Usage

• "to debus troops": a military term meaning to unload soldiers from a bus or troop transport.

  • The commander ordered the soldiers to debus and form ranks. (The commander instructed the soldiers to get off the bus and assemble.)

• "debus point": a designated location where passengers or cargo are unloaded from a bus.

  • The debus point was marked with a sign at the camp gate. (The unloading area was clearly indicated.)

Variants and Related Words

• Debussing (n, gerund): the act of unloading passengers or goods from a bus.

  • Debussing took longer than expected due to heavy luggage. (The unloading process was delayed.)

• Debussed (past tense): having unloaded or gotten off a bus.

  • Once debussed, the group walked toward the museum. (After getting off the bus, the group proceeded on foot.)

Synonyms

• Alight: to get off a vehicle (formal).
  • The passengers alighted from the bus. (They got off the bus.)
• Unload: to remove goods or people from a vehicle.
  • They unloaded the bus quickly. (They debussed the bus.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Debus from: (rare) to get off a specific bus.
  • We debussed from the coach at the rest stop. (We alighted from the coach.)

Related Idioms

• Debus and go: (informal, military) a brief command meaning to unload and proceed immediately.
  • The order was "debus and go" — no time to waste. (Get off the bus and move out quickly.)

Note: "Debus" is a formal or technical term, often used in military, logistics, or travel contexts. It is less common in everyday conversation, where "get off the bus" or "unload the bus" is preferred.