Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

detritus

Syllabification: (de·tri·tus)
Pronunciation: /diˈtrītəs/
Translate detritus | into Italian
Definition of detritus

noun

  • waste or debris of any kind:streets filled with rubble and detritus
  • gravel, sand, silt, or other material produced by erosion.
  • organic matter produced by the decomposition of organisms.

Derivatives

detrital

Pronunciation: /-təl/
adjective

Origin:

late 18th century (in the sense 'detrition'): from French détritus, from Latin detritus, from deterere 'wear away'

detritus in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of detritus in the British & World English dictionary
  |  Cite
Oxford Dictionaries Pro

For Oxford's best resources for writers, plus thesaurus, audio, and 1.9m examples.

Shop for an Oxford dictionary

Find the perfect Oxford dictionary for you in our online shop.
SHOP NOW ►

Word of the day

cur

/ kəː /
noun
an aggressive or unkempt dog …