debris

Everyday

1. Broken pieces left after something has been destroyed or has fallen: bits of wood, stone, glass. tree →
2. Rubbish or small pieces scattered about. tree →
3. (science) Rock and dust, or pieces of old rockets and satellites in space (space debris). tree →

In the lessons

In news and safety lessons debris after a storm, earthquake or crash can be dangerous, so people stay away. In science «space debris» is junk orbiting the Earth. Phrases: «covered in debris», «flying debris», «space debris», «clear the debris».

Examples

• After the storm the road was covered in debris. tree →
• Firefighters searched the debris for survivors. tree →
• Flying debris can be dangerous in a strong wind. tree →
• Space debris circles the Earth very fast. tree →
• The beach was full of debris from the shipwreck. tree →
• We cleared the debris from the garden. tree →

Note

Uncountable: «a lot of debris», not «debrises». Say DEB-ree (UK) or duh-BREE (US); the s is silent — it comes from French.