wreckage

noun

wreck·​age ˈre-kij 

1

: the act of wrecking : the state of being wrecked

2

a

: something that has been wrecked

b

: broken and disordered parts or material from something wrecked

Synonyms

• devastation
• destruction
• havoc
• demolition
• loss
• extinction

Examples of wreckage in a Sentence

Workers sifted through the wreckage of the building, searching for bodies.

They cleared the wreckage from the track.

Recent Examples on the Web

Creating the aftermath of Maginot’s wreckage in Prodigy City was another feat. —Daron James, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2025

Five other people, all in a third vehicle, were hospitalized with minor injuries and the fourth driver walked away from the wreckage and was treated at the scene. —Andrea Klick, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025

Two days later, the Polar Prince arrived at the vicinity of the Titanic wreckage in the North Atlantic and the submersible was launched. —N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025

First responders were able to rescue Heche from the wreckage, and she was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition. —Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

wreckage

noun

wreck·​age ˈrek-ij 

1

a

: the act of wrecking

b

: the state of being wrecked

2

: the remains of a wreck