debrief
English
Etymology
Etymology tree
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /diːˈbɹiːf/
Audio (US): (file) - Rhymes: -iːf
Verb
debrief (third-person singular simple present debriefs, present participle debriefing, simple past and past participle debriefed)
- (transitive) To question someone after a military mission in order to obtain information (especially intelligence).
- 2021 March 10, Drachinifel, 24:41 from the start, in Guadalcanal Campaign - The Big Night Battle: Night 1 (IJN 3(?) : 2 USN)[1], archived from the original on 7 November 2022:
- But, for whatever combination of reasons - and, to be fair, he'd been blasted in the face by shrapnel, was probably badly concussed, and, indeed, would actually remember nothing from the battle after he'd been hit when he was later debriefed - aside from two destroyers left behind to help Hiei, the rest of the Japanese forces withdrew north just before 0300 in the morning.
- (transitive) To question someone, or a group of people, after the implementation of a project, in order to learn from mistakes, etc.
- (transitive) To inform subjects of an experiment about what has happened in a complete and accurate manner.
Derived terms
Translations
to question someone after a military mission in order to obtain intelligence
to question someone, or a group of people, after the implementation of a project in order to learn from mistakes etc.
to inform subjects of an experiment about what has happened in a complete and accurate manner
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Noun
debrief (plural debriefs)
- Synonym of debriefing
- We had a debrief yesterday.
- 2018 January 2, Clare Hennig, “Holiday debrief: Now's the time for a family review of Christmas”, in CBC.ca[2], archived from the original on 5 April 2026:
- Family psychologist Susan Gamache said a family debrief of the holidays, once the dust has settled in January, will help make Christmas more manageable next time.
- 2025 May 20, Rhea Wessel, “A Project Debrief Strategy Is A Critical Tool For Thought Leadership”, in Forbes[3], archived from the original on 5 April 2026:
- Too often, organizations treat post-project debriefs as operational hygiene: a box to check before heading to the next engagement.
- 2025 November 2, Adam Holmes, “Review of mass salmon mortalities in Tasmania points to litany of failures”, in Australian Broadcasting Corporation[4], archived from the original on 5 April 2026:
- The debrief — based on consultation with government agencies and salmon industry operators — also outlined concerns about worsening environmental volatility and emerging marine disease threats, stating that "business as usual" approaches would not be enough.