debrief

verb

de·​brief (ˌ)dē-ˈbrēf How to pronounce debrief (audio)
debriefed; debriefing; debriefs
Synonyms of debrief

transitive verb

1
: to interrogate (someone, such as a pilot) usually upon return (as from a mission) in order to obtain useful information
The hostages were later debriefed by police.
2
: to carefully review upon completion
debrief the flight

intransitive verb

: to be interrogated for useful information following a mission, experience, etc. : to be debriefed
After each mission, … the pilots land, disarm and roll into the fuel pit. They spend another hour debriefing with Intelligence …—Maria Wilhelm

Examples of debrief in a Sentence

Police debriefed the hostages upon their return. The pilot was debriefed after his flight.
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.
Roseman will debrief the draft process. — Zach Berman, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026 If her fellow cast members were debriefed about her dismissal or gossiped amongst themselves, it was not shown onscreen. — Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 1 July 2026 Fox said Williams was debriefed in September 2015 and signed a nondisclosure agreement. — Allen G. Breed, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026 The final clip features Knoxville and Tremaine sitting on a motel bed, debriefing after a particularly dangerous stunt. — T.m. Brown, CNN Money, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for debrief

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of debrief was in 1944

Rhymes for debrief

See All Rhymes for debrief

Browse Nearby Words

debridement
debrief
debris
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

debrief

verb
de·​brief di-ˈbrēf How to pronounce debrief (audio)
ˈdē-
: to question (as an astronaut) on return from a mission or assignment in order to obtain useful information

More from Merriam-Webster on debrief

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for debrief

Nglish: Translation of debrief for Spanish Speakers

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