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

The exchanges between da Silva and Epstein appear as part of a huge document release from the US justice department running to three million pages relating to Epstein.

From BBC

New York City’s existing sanctuary and detainer laws already prohibit New York City’s police department from assisting federal agents with civil immigration enforcement.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mark Bradshaw, chair of Boston College’s accounting department, who has written a book and more than two dozen academic studies about sell-side stock research, says he has never seen a scenario like Ives’ simultaneous roles.

From Barron's

He added later, “I hope the work the men and women did in this department over the past two months hopefully is able to bring closure” for Epstein’s victims.

From The Wall Street Journal

“You’ll carry messages between the various departments and it often calls for a swift stride. You’ll be stationed in the center of the Park.”

From Literature

Related Words

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