det
ri
tus
Plural
detritus
1
waste or debris produced by the disintegration or decomposition of organic or inorganic matter
- The forest floor was covered in detritus, including fallen leaves, twigs, and decaying plant matter.
- Ocean currents carried plastic detritus to remote beaches, causing environmental concerns.
- The abandoned building was in a state of disrepair, with detritus scattered throughout the interior.
- Decomposing leaves and small animal remains contributed to the detritus in the woodland ecosystem.
- Cleanup efforts focused on removing detritus from the riverbanks to restore the natural habitat.
2
loose, broken-down material, such as stone fragments, sand, or silt, worn away from rocks
- The riverbed was covered with detritus from upstream cliffs.
- Geologists studied the detritus to understand erosion patterns.
- Heavy rainfall washed detritus down the mountain slope.
- The trail was littered with detritus after the storm.
- Wind carried detritus from the quarry across the plain.