# wreckage

/ˈɹɛkədʒ/ (US) · /ɹˈɛkɪdʒ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wreckage
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- Divers found the wreckage of the old ship on the ocean floor.
- Emergency crews worked through the night to clear the wreckage from the highway after the multi-car collision.
- 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The wreckages were everywhere" but "The wreckage was everywhere" — Wreckage is uncountable and does not take a plural form; use 'pieces of wreckage' if you need to count individual items.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.