debris in English
- debris⇄debris, noun.
1. scattered fragments; ruins; rubbish.
Ex. The street was covered with broken glass, stone, and other debris from the explosion.
2. (Geology.) a mass of large fragments worn away from rock; detritus.
Ex. the debris
debris in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
debris in Hindi हिन्दी
debris in Sindhi سنڌي
debris in Telugu తెలుగు
Debris
Part of Speech
Noun
Pronunciation
/dəˈbriː/
Definitions
- Scattered pieces of waste or remains, especially from something that has been destroyed or broken.
- Fragments or bits of something that has been damaged, decayed, or discarded.
Usage Examples
- "After the storm, there was debris scattered all across the streets."
- "The earthquake left behind piles of debris from the collapsed buildings."
Etymology
Originating from the French word "déblais" meaning waste, rubble, or excavated earth, which in turn comes from the Old French word "deblayer," meaning to clear away. The term has been used in English since the early 19th century.
Synonyms
- Rubble
- Remains
- Wreckage
- Fragments
- Shards
Antonyms
- Cleanliness
- Order
- Intact
- Whole
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | escombros | /esˈkom.bɾos/ |
| French | débri | /de.bʁi/ |
| German | Trümmer | /ˈtʁʏmɐ/ |
| Hindi | मलबा (Malba) | /mʌl.ba/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 废墟 (fèi xū) | /feɪʧuː/ |
| Russian | обломки (oblomki) | /obˈlomkʲɪ/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- British English: /dəˈbriː/
- American English: /dəˈbriː/
- Australian English: /dəˈbriː/
Historical Usage
The word "debris" first appeared in the early 19th century, borrowing from the French term for rubble or waste. It was used to describe the fragments and remains left after a disaster, destruction, or decay, and has been applied to both natural and man-made destruction.
Cultural Nuances
In many cultures, debris can symbolize the remnants of a catastrophe or the aftermath of destruction. The term is often associated with scenes of devastation, such as in the aftermath of war, natural disasters, or accidents. It can also evoke the concept of renewal and rebuilding, as debris often precedes the process of recovery and reconstruction.
More Information
Debris can be made up of a wide range of materials, including wood, metal, glass, plastic, and soil, depending on the event or incident that caused it. Commonly found after natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes, debris also appears after accidents or when buildings are demolished. The cleanup of debris is an important part of recovery efforts, as it helps restore affected areas to a livable state. In some contexts, debris may also refer to smaller, incidental fragments, such as those left in the wake of an industrial process.