debark

1 of 2

verb (1)

de·​bark di-ˈbärk How to pronounce debark (audio)
dē-
debarked; debarking; debarks
debarkation noun

debark

2 of 2

verb (2)

de·​bark (ˌ)dē-ˈbärk How to pronounce debark (audio)
debarked; debarking; debarks

transitive verb

: to remove bark from
debarker noun

Examples of debark in a Sentence

Verb (1) the seasick passengers debarked as soon as the ship dropped anchor
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Two massive tree trunks, debarked and smoothly polished, bring more of the outdoors feeling inside. David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2024 If the wood wasn’t debarked, trees with loose bark layers or split wood that has dried enough to loosen its bark may harbor an array of creatures, such as wood roaches, earwigs, and possibly even overwintering yellowjacket wasp queens. Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 11 Jan. 2024 On June 21, 1948, 1,027 people from the Caribbean debarked the Empire Windrush in London. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 3 Oct. 2023 The trees are debarked in around another nine years to allow for enough growth time. Gabriella Sotelo, Treehugger, 24 Aug. 2023 Officers from the Ronald Reagan debarked Sunday and were greeted by Vietnamese officers after mooring in Da Nang, a port that was modernized and expanded by the United States during the war for its own use. David Rising, ajc, 26 June 2023 The woman's body and her husband were debarked in Nassau, according to Carnival spokesperson Matt Lupoli. Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2023 In summary, first look to see if the stems have been debarked by squirrels. oregonlive, 25 Jan. 2020 At the top of the hill, where hayride passengers debarked, sits a stone and huge fir tree commemorating the spot where according to Windsor Locks legend, America’s first Christmas tree was planted. Annie Gentile, courant.com, 10 Oct. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'debark.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

French debarquer, from de- + barque bark (ship)

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1654, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1742, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of debark was in 1654

Dictionary Entries Near debark

Cite this Entry

“Debark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/debark. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

debark

verb
de·​bark
di-ˈbärk
: to go or put ashore from a ship
debarkation
ˌdē-ˌbär-ˈkā-shən
noun
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