debridement

noun

de·​bride·​ment di-ˈbrēd-mənt 

dā-,

-ˌmänt,

dā-brēd-ˈmäⁿ 

medical

: the usually surgical removal of lacerated, devitalized, or contaminated tissue

debride

di-ˈbrēd  dā- 

transitive verb

Examples of debridement in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The back of the bullpen looks to be one of the Orioles’ strengths, particularly after free-agent addition Andrew Kittredge returns from a left knee debridement, potentially in late May. —Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025

For weeks afterward, Arnold was subjected to daily rounds of extremely painful debridement procedures, which involved being hosed down with chemicals designed to dissolve damaged and dead tissue to prevent infections. —Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2025

Sometimes, surgical debridement (removal of infected tissue) may be necessary.4 Granulomatous Invasive Sinusitis (GIFS) Research shows that many CIRS infections progress to GIFS, a rare fungal sinus infection that causes a severe immune response. —Laura Schober, Health, 14 Apr. 2025

The only reliever back from last year’s opening-day bullpen is Julian Merryweather, who missed most of 2024 with a rib fracture and underwent patellar tendon debridement surgery on his right knee in September. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025

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

Medical Definition

debridement

noun

de·​bride·​ment di-ˈbrēd-mənt  dā- 

-ˌmänt,

-ˌmäⁿ

: the usually surgical removal of lacerated, devitalized, or contaminated tissue