wreckage

[ rek-ij ]

noun

1. act of wrecking; wrecking; state of being wrecked.
2. remains or fragments of something that has been wrecked:

   They searched the wreckage for survivors.

wreckage

/ ˈrɛkɪdʒ /

noun

1. same as wreck
2. the act of wrecking or the state of being wrecked; ruin or destruction

Word History and Origins

Origin of wreckage¹

First recorded in 1830–40; wreck + -age

Example Sentences

Nearly one month later, the Democratic Party and the pundits and other politics experts are continuing to study the wreckage of the 2024 election.

From Salon

As these storylines collide and various factions jockey for advantage in the wreckage, there will be murders and attempted murders and more murders.

From Los Angeles Times

But the sense of jubilation for returning home faded as people drove further south, passing piles of wreckage where buildings once stood and storefronts shattered by blasts.

From New York Times

As members of the crash recovery crew search for survivors among the wreckage, they encounter mysterious predatory life forms more terrifying than they could have ever imagined.

From Salon

The crew from Romeo’s company, Deep Sea Vision, had piloted their state-of-the-art submersible closer to the possible wreckage.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• debris
• rubble
• wreck