depart
Americanverb (used without object)
-
departs,
present (3rd person singular)
-
departed,
past participle, past
-
departing
present participle
-
to go away; leave.
She departed from Paris today. The train departs at 10:52.
- Antonyms:
- arrive
-
to diverge or deviate (usually followed byfrom ).
The new method departs from the old in several respects.
-
to pass away, as from life or existence; die.
verb (used with object)
-
departs,
present (3rd person singular)
-
departed,
past participle, past
-
departing
present participle
noun
verb
-
to go away; leave
-
to start out; set forth
-
(usually foll by from) to deviate; differ; vary
to depart from normal procedure
-
(tr) to quit (archaic, except in the phrase depart this life )
Synonym Usage
Depart, retire, retreat, withdraw imply leaving a place. Depart is a somewhat literary word for going away from a place: to depart on a journey. Retire emphasizes absenting oneself or drawing back from a place: to retire from a position in battle. Retreat implies a necessary withdrawal, especially as a result of adverse fortune in war: to retreat to secondary lines of defense. Withdraw suggests leaving some specific place or situation, usually for some definite and often unpleasant reason: to withdraw from a hopeless task.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
departsimple
-
departssimple
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have departedperfect
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has departedperfect
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am departingprogressive
-
are departingprogressive
-
is departingprogressive
-
have been departingperfect progressive
-
has been departingperfect progressive
Past
-
departedsimple
-
had departedperfect
-
was departingprogressive
-
were departingprogressive
-
had been departingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of depart
1175–1225; Middle English departen < Old French departir, equivalent to de- de- + partir to go away; see part ( v. )
Explanation
To depart is to go away or to choose a different direction. If you are catching a plane, you are soon to depart. And, if you are wearing a kilt instead of jeans, you depart from your usual look. Airports and train stations have gates for arrivals and departures. Airplanes and people coming in "arrive" while those going out depart. You also can depart without going anywhere, as when you change your mind and depart from an earlier decision. To "depart from the norm" is an expression for doing something different than expected, like giggling during a tear-jerker of a movie.
Vocabulary lists containing depart
"Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare, Act I
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The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 8
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The New SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The cruise will depart from the Port of Miami and will feature a Banana Ball game at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
A few carefully placed words from Williams and Jefferson offered a way out, resetting expectations without requiring Warsh to depart from his own approach.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026
She was detained by the FBI at Los Angeles International Airport "attempting to depart for China" on Sunday, he said.
From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026
City, regardless of each individual's view on whether they want to depart, have the right to demand transfer fees.
From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026
But all save Legolas said that they must now take their leave and depart either south or west.
From "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien
Condé Nast’s chief executive, Roger Lynch, is stepping down to lead toy company Mattel, replacing Ynon Kreiz as he departs for a top role at the media conglomerate born from Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026
The very place where the passenger ferry departs Portsmouth for Hayling Island.
From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026
But this version of “A Different World” departs from its source material in its narrative format and tone.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026
As Creative Director Ib Kamara departs Off-White, what’s going on at the luxury streetwear label?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026
Celia sits alone for some time after Lainie departs, both cups of tea growing cold.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
To achieve their new level of precision, the team departed from the conventional method of estimating primordial helium.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 20, 2026
Then there was a rupture in the relationship and Musk departed, although they seem to have mended fences.
From Salon ● Oct. 17, 2026
Surkamp departed Pavlov’s Dog while recording its junior album and traveled to Seattle to further develop his musical talents.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
In the first weeks of the conflict, dozens of planes landed at or departed from Dubai International Airport within five minutes of warnings of missile or drone attacks, The Wall Street Journal has reported.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026
The three Baudelaire children had many more questions for Mr. Poe, but he had already stood up from the table, and with a slight wave of his hand departed from the room.
From "The Bad Beginning" by Lemony Snicket
Instead they plan to invest at a higher rate and build their net worth outside of a primary residence, departing from the established path to wealth in the U.S.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026
The first died less than 10 minutes after departing the boat ramp: One moment, barreling along at full chat; the next, suddenly quiet, sloshing to a halt in the middle of the foggy channel.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2026
The department learned the people had been on a helicopter departing the island for the mainland and that there were actually five people involved, Torres said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
It reported that 267 departing flights were delayed today, while a further 257 flights destined for Newark were also delayed.
From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026
When a departing Hollywood film crew forgot to pack its loudspeaker equipment, racetrackers appropriated the gear, fiddled with it, and soon fashioned the first race-calling public address system.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
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