debrief
verb
de·brief
(ˌ)dē-ˈbrēf 
debriefed; debriefing; debriefs
1
: to interrogate (someone, such as a pilot) usually upon return (as from a mission) in order to obtain useful information
The hostages were later debriefed by police.
2
: to carefully review upon completion
debrief the flight
: to be interrogated for useful information following a mission, experience, etc. : to be debriefed
After each mission, … the pilots land, disarm and roll into the fuel pit. They spend another hour debriefing with Intelligence …—
Maria Wilhelm
Maria WilhelmExamples of debrief in a Sentence
Police debriefed the hostages upon their return.
The pilot was debriefed after his flight.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jono calls his boyfriend, David, an opera singer, to debrief.
—Emma Soren, Vulture, 10 June 2024
In the coming days, students will debrief the astronomical event with their teachers.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2024
Evidently, the humans aren’t the only ones wanting to debrief.
—The Indianapolis Star, 8 Apr. 2024
At a meeting in Los Angeles, Mr. Howard debriefed Ms. McDougal, who now expressed reservations about coming forward.
—Michael Rothfeld, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for debrief 
Emma Soren, Vulture, 10 June 2024
In the coming days, students will debrief the astronomical event with their teachers.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2024
Evidently, the humans aren’t the only ones wanting to debrief.
—The Indianapolis Star, 8 Apr. 2024
At a meeting in Los Angeles, Mr. Howard debriefed Ms. McDougal, who now expressed reservations about coming forward.
—Michael Rothfeld, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for debrief
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'debrief.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Debrief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/debrief. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
debrief
verb
de·brief
di-ˈbrēf
ˈdē-
: to question (as an astronaut) on return from a mission or assignment in order to obtain useful information
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