departure

American  

[dih-pahr-cher] / dɪˈpɑr tʃər /

noun

• departures
  plural

1. an act or instance of departing.

   the time of departure; a hasty departure.

   Synonyms:

   leave-taking, exit, going, leaving

2. divergence or deviation, as from a standard, rule, etc..

   a departure from accepted teaching methods.

3. Navigation.

   1. the distance due east or west traveled by a vessel or aircraft.

   2. point of departure.

4. Surveying. the length of the projection, on the east-west reference line, of a survey line.

5. Archaic. death.

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departure British  

/ dɪˈpɑːtʃə /

noun

1. the act or an instance of departing

2. a deviation or variation from previous custom; divergence

3. a project, course of action, venture, etc

   selling is a new departure for him

4. nautical

   1. the net distance travelled due east or west by a vessel

   2. Also called: point of departure. the latitude and longitude of the point from which a vessel calculates dead reckoning

5. a euphemistic word for death

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nondeparture
  noun
• predeparture
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• departures
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of departure

1375–1425; late Middle English < Old French departëure; compare Anglo-French departir (noun use of infinitive). See depart, -ure

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Explanation

A departure is the act of leaving somewhere. Think about an airport that has departure gates for outgoing passengers and an arrival area for people flying in. Since departing means to leave, a departure is an act of leaving. There are many type of departures, such as when you go to the store or take a flight. A departure can be a metaphor too, as in a departure from the norm, like if a TV cop show suddenly turns into a vampire show. If a comedian starts being serious, that's a departure too. This word is also a euphemism for death, as in "a departure from life."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

departure departures

That’s a departure from conventional state personal tax, which is levied on income such as wages and the proceeds from sales of stocks, bonds and other such financial assets.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

But does her sudden departure highlight the challenges broadcasters face covering the women's game in an ever-changing media landscape?

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

Glori’s character also represents a refreshing departure from the way Latina women are often portrayed onscreen.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

OpenAI plans to inform employees about the departure on Wednesday, and Katti is expected to stay on as an adviser, according to people familiar with the matter.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026

We find the row of inns that serve the vast numbers of Jews looking for shelter at the seaport before their departure.

From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar

Still, there have been a few notable departures.

From Salon ● Oct. 17, 2026

RSF has said that a third country has offered him asylum, without specifying which, but that departures planned for February and June were cancelled after Thai immigration authorities withheld exit clearance without explanation.

From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026

After LeBron James led a wave of veteran departures, the Lakers rebuilt around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

The departures are the latest sign that a frenzy of oil-and-gas mergers is consolidating the energy industry in Houston.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

They did not hear him, so he hissed louder, but the loudspeaker announcing departures and arrivals drowned it out.

From "Breaking Through" by Francisco Jiménez

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Related Words

• escape
• evacuation
• exit
• exodus
• flight
• passage
• removal
• retirement
• retreat
• separation
• takeoff
• walkout
• withdrawal

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