Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) have evolved to exhibit inherent damage tolerance through nonlinear energy absorption mechanisms while retaining the desirable attributes of their monolithic structural ceramic counterparts. Mathematical (analytic and numeric) models together with experimental measurements of this damage absorption have aided in understanding the thermomechanical behavior of CMCs. This understanding has led to improved test methods, better predictive modeling of material behavior, appropriate processing methods, and finally novel design methodologies for implementing CMCs. In this paper, background on CMC damage is presented, damage measurement and damage models are discussed and finally probabilistic aspects of constituent materials that can be used to illustrate the cumulative damage behavior of CMCs are described.