Definition

The remains or debris of something that has been destroyed or damaged, often in an accident or disaster.

Example

After the storm, the wreckage of the ship was scattered along the shore.

Conversation

Did you see the news about the storm last night?

Yeah, I heard it caused a lot of damage.

They showed images of the wreckage left behind.

It’s so sad to see the destruction like that.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Wreckage → It is formed from "wreck" (from Old English *wrecan*, meaning to drive or to bring to ruin) and "-age" (a suffix indicating a collection or state). The word "wreckage" refers to the state or collection of things that have been driven to ruin or destroyed.

Memory Tip

Think of something that has been 'driven to ruin' ('wreck') and the '-age' indicating a collection of that ruin. This helps you remember that 'wreckage' means the remains of something that has been destroyed.

Visually Confused Words