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Debriefing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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debriefing

de-brief-ing

🇺🇸 /dɪˈbɹifɪŋ/ · 🇬🇧 /diːbɹˈiːfɪŋ/

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

military context

Debriefing is a structured process of questioning or discussion that takes place after a mission or an event. It is typically aimed at gathering information about the actions taken, the outcomes achieved, and any issues encountered during the event. Debriefings are commonly used in military operations, but they can also be found in various fields such as business and emergency services. The purpose is to learn from the experience and improve future performance by addressing any weaknesses or misunderstandings.

Synonyms

recap, report, review, summary.

Examples of usage

  • The commander conducted a debriefing after the training exercise.
  • During the debriefing, the team discussed what went well and what needed improvement.
  • The debriefing session lasted for several hours.
  • After the incident, an urgent debriefing was required.
Context #2 | Verb

military context

To debrief means to question someone after an event to extract information and insights about their experiences and actions. This process helps in understanding the outcomes of the mission and identifying areas for improvement. Debriefing is crucial in improving operational efficiency and ensuring that lessons learned are documented and shared.

Synonyms

interrogate, interview, question.

Examples of usage

  • The officer debriefed the soldiers after the operation.
  • She was debriefed about her observations during the event.
  • They debrief all participants to gather valuable insights.
  • After the conference, the speaker was debriefed by the organizers.

Translations

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Quick facts about “debriefing”

Debriefing is a 3-syllable noun and verb (de-brief-ing). It is pronounced /dɪˈbɹifɪŋ/ in American English and /diːbɹˈiːfɪŋ/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 2 meanings, 7 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #25,975 among the most common English words.

Origin of 'debriefing'

The term 'debriefing' has its origins in the military, where it was used to describe the process of questioning personnel after missions to gather information and improve future operations. The word 'debrief' is a compound of the prefix 'de-', meaning removal or reversal, and 'brief', which is rooted in the Latin 'brevis', meaning short or brief. This reflects the concept of removing unnecessary details and obtaining a concise account of events. The practice of debriefing became more formalized during the two World Wars, especially in the context of intelligence gathering and combat effectiveness. Over the years, the process has expanded beyond military use and is now common in various fields, including business, emergency services, and research. The objective remains to learn from experiences and enhance performance based on insights gained during the debriefing sessions.


Rhymes

Debriefing rhymes with briefing, leafing and beefing.

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Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,975, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.