debridement

noun

de·​bride·​ment di-ˈbrēd-mənt How to pronounce debridement (audio)
dā-, 
-ˌmänt, 
dā-brēd-ˈmäⁿ How to pronounce debridement (audio)
medical
: the usually surgical removal of lacerated, devitalized, or contaminated tissue
debride
di-ˈbrēd How to pronounce debridement (audio) dā- How to pronounce debridement (audio)
transitive verb

Examples of debridement in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
What that called for was an arthroscopic debridement procedure. — Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025 Austin underwent surgery Tuesday for a patellar tendon debridement in his right knee that will sideline him for months. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026 Gonzalez underwent a left shoulder arthroscopic debridement, per the club. — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026 ElAttrache recommended a shoulder debridement to relieve the pain Stewart has continued to feel in his shoulder. — Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for debridement

Word History

Etymology

French débridement, from débrider to remove adhesions, literally, to unbridle, from Middle French desbrider, from des- de- + bride bridle, from Middle High German brīdel — more at bridle

First Known Use

circa 1842, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of debridement was circa 1842

Browse Nearby Words

Debrecen
debridement
debrief
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Debridement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/debridement. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

debridement

noun
de·​bride·​ment di-ˈbrēd-mənt How to pronounce debridement (audio) dā- How to pronounce debridement (audio)
-ˌmänt, 
-ˌmäⁿ
: the usually surgical removal of lacerated, devitalized, or contaminated tissue

More from Merriam-Webster on debridement

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about debridement

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