department

American  

[dih-pahrt-muhnt] / dɪˈpɑrt mənt /

noun

1. a distinct part of anything arranged in divisions; a division of a complex whole or organized system.

   Synonyms:

   segment, unit, section, bureau, branch

2. one of the principal branches of a governmental organization.

   the sanitation department.

3. (initial capital letter) one of the principal divisions of the U.S. federal government, headed by a secretary who is a member of the president's cabinet.

4. a division of a business enterprise dealing with a particular area of activity.

   the personnel department.

5. a section of a retail store selling a particular class or kind of goods.

   the sportswear department.

6. one of the sections of a school or college dealing with a particular field of knowledge.

   the English department.

7. one of the large districts into which certain countries, as France, are divided for administrative purposes.

8. a division of official business, duties, or functions.

   judicial departments.

9. a sphere or province of activity, knowledge, or responsibility.

   Paying the bills is not my department.

10. (usually initial capital letter) (formerly) a large geographical division of the U.S. or its possessions as divided for military and defense purposes.

    the Hawaiian Department.

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department British  

/ dɪˈpɑːtmənt, ˌdiːpɑːtˈmɛntəl /

noun

1. a specialized division of a large concern, such as a business, store, or university

   the geography department

2. a major subdivision or branch of the administration of a government

3. a branch or subdivision of learning

   physics is a department of science

4. a territorial and administrative division in several countries, such as France

5. informal a specialized sphere of knowledge, skill, or activity

   wine-making is my wife's department

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Other Word Forms

• departmental adjective
• departmentally adverb
• nondepartmental adjective
• nondepartmentally adverb
• predepartmental adjective
• subdepartment noun
• subdepartmental adjective

Etymology

Origin of department

First recorded in 1730–35; from French département; equivalent to depart + -ment

Example Sentences

Thurmond asked, a poke at Swalwell, who thanked the department for its work last year in a case of domestic terrorism.

From Los Angeles Times

She discovered there are no PoTS specialists in Scotland so she was passed from one department to another.

From BBC

Russell Vought, who wrote a Project 2025 chapter on remaking the bureaucracy and leads the department which administers the vast US federal budget, has also played a key role in implementing the president's policies.

From BBC

As the 19th century drew to a close, a growing middle class found itself with disposable income, shorter workweeks, mail-order catalogs and department stores, all of which helped board games evolve into consumer products.

From The Wall Street Journal

County’s mental health department, called 5200 “one of the most powerful tools” available and said he tried to implement it several years ago but faced some of the same resistance described by Meyer.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• administration
• agency
• area
• board
• branch
• bureau
• commission
• division
• office
• staff
• station
• unit