How Do You Spell DEBRIS?

Pronunciation: [dˈɛbɹiː] (IPA)

The word "debris" (IPA: dɛˈbri) is spelled with a silent "s" at the end. It means scattered fragments, such as rubble or wreckage. The origin of the word is French and was originally spelled "débris." The pronunciation of the word uses the stress on the first syllable with a short "e" sound, followed by a "b" sound, and ending with a long "ee" sound. It's important to spell the word correctly, as it's frequently used in news reports and scientific studies.

DEBRIS Meaning and Definition

  1. Debris, noun: plural: debris

    1. Remains or scattered pieces of broken or destroyed material, particularly resulting from an accident, natural disaster, or the decay of manmade structures.

    - example 1: "After the hurricane, the streets were littered with debris, including fallen trees, shattered windows, and collapsed buildings."

    - example 2: "The explosion caused debris to fly in all directions, endangering anyone nearby."

    2. Any discarded or waste material that is considered useless or unwanted.

    - example 1: "The construction site was piled with debris such as concrete rubble, wood scraps, and discarded metal pieces."

    - example 2: "Environmentalists are concerned about the buildup of plastic debris in the oceans, which poses a significant threat to marine life."

    3. In scientific contexts, fragmented or scattered matter that may hold valuable information or evidence to be examined or analyzed.

    - example 1: "Paleontologists meticulously excavate fossil debris to reconstruct the lifestyles and evolution of ancient creatures."

    - example 2: "Investigators carefully collect and analyze debris from a crash site to determine the cause of an airplane accident."

    The term "debris" generally refers to the remnants or fragments of objects, structures, or substances that are broken, destroyed, discarded, or scattered. It encompasses various situations, ranging from the aftermath of natural disasters or accidents to waste materials and scientific samples. Whether it is the result of a destructive event or simply considered useless, debris often requires proper disposal or examination, depending on its characteristics and context.

  2. Rubbish; ruins; fragments of rocks, &c.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for DEBRIS *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for DEBRIS

Etymology of DEBRIS

The word "debris" originated from the French language. It can be traced back to the Old French word "debriser", which means "to break down" or "to demolish". The term gained popularity in the 18th century, especially among French military engineers who used it to refer to the scattered fragments of wreckage or ruins resulting from a demolition or military action. As time passed, "debris" evolved to refer to any scattered remains, fragments, or rubble left behind after a disaster, explosion, or disintegration.

Idioms with the word DEBRIS

  • debris field The idiom "debris field" refers to an area or space cluttered with scattered pieces or fragments of broken or destroyed objects, typically resulting from an accident, explosion, or natural disaster. It suggests a chaotic and disordered arrangement of wreckage or remains.

Similar spelling words for DEBRIS

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