ENGLISH
REFERENCE

wreckage

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɹɛkədʒ// UK //ɹˈɛkɪdʒ// wreck·age

n. the broken pieces that are left after a vehicle, building, or large object has been destroyed. You usually see this after a crash or a bad storm.

n. the remains of something that has been severely damaged or destroyed, such as a vehicle, aircraft, or structure. Often refers to the physical debris resulting from a collision or disaster.


SIMPLE

Divers found the wreckage of the old ship on the ocean floor.

CONTEXTUAL

Emergency crews worked through the night to clear the wreckage from the highway after the multi-car collision.

COMPLEX

The investigators meticulously documented every piece of wreckage scattered across the field to determine whether mechanical failure or pilot error caused the mid-air disintegration.

Origin

From wreck + -age.

Pitfall

The wreckages were everywhereThe wreckage was everywhereWreckage is uncountable and does not take a plural form; use 'pieces of wreckage' if you need to count individual items.

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