rubble

UK: /ˈrʌb^əl/ US: /ˈrʌbəl/ ,(rub′əl or, for 3, 4, ro̅o̅′bəl)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

rub•ble /ˈrʌbəl/   n. [uncountable]

1. broken bits and pieces of anything, esp. something demolished:
   Bombing reduced the town to rubble.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

rub•ble  (rub′əl or, for 3, 4, ro̅o̅′bəl), n. 

1. broken bits and pieces of anything, as that which is demolished:
   Bombing reduced the town to rubble.
2. Geology, Meteorology any solid substance, as ice, in irregularly broken pieces.
3. Geology, Building rough fragments of broken stone, formed by geological processes, in quarrying, etc., and sometimes used in masonry.
4. Building masonry built of rough fragments of broken stone.

• ?; compare rubbish
• Middle English rubel, robil 1350–1400

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

rubble / ˈrʌb^əl/ noun

1. fragments of broken stones, bricks, etc
2. any fragmented solid material, esp the debris from ruined buildings
3. Also called: rubblework masonry constructed of broken pieces of rock, stone, etc

Etymology: 14th Century robyl; perhaps related to Middle English rubben to rub, or to rubbish

ˈrubbly adjective