department store

noun

1. a large retail store carrying a wide variety of merchandise and organized into various departments for sales and administrative purposes.

department store

noun

1. a large shop divided into departments selling a great many kinds of goods

Word History and Origins

Origin of department store¹

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

Example Sentences

They said the company has less than one-third of its overall exposure to department stores.

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Bergdorf Goodman has largely avoided the fate of other department stores, which expanded into the suburbs and diluted what made them special.

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Asian e-commerce giant Shein's decision to set up shop in a historic Parisian department store has ruffled feathers in the fashion capital.

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She went onto play a lonely, middle-aged department store clerk tipped into a relationship with a kinky podiatrist in Bennett's Miss Fozzard Finds Her Feet.

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Newcastle department store Fenwick will also reveal bespoke windows showcasing the 12 Albums of the Year on 13 October and host two events as part of the Mercury Prize Fringe.

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Related Words

• chain store 
• discount store 
• shop 
• store