department

[ dih-pahrt-muhnt ]

/ dɪˈpɑrt mənt /

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See synonyms for: department / departments on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

one of the principal branches of a governmental organization: the sanitation department.

(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.

a division of a business enterprise dealing with a particular area of activity: the personnel department.

a section of a retail store selling a particular class or kind of goods: the sportswear department.

one of the sections of a school or college dealing with a particular field of knowledge: the English department.

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

a division of official business, duties, or functions: judicial departments.

a sphere or province of activity, knowledge, or responsibility: Paying the bills is not my department.

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

OTHER WORDS FOR department

1 branch, bureau, section, unit, segment.

See synonyms for department on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of department

1730–35; <French département, equivalent to départ(ir) (see depart) + -ment-ment

OTHER WORDS FROM department

de·part·men·tal

[dih-pahrt-men-tl, dee-pahrt-], /dɪ pɑrtˈmɛn tl, ˌdi pɑrt-/, adjectivede·part·men·tal·ly, adverbnon·de·part·men·tal, adjectivenon·de·part·men·tal·ly, adverb

pre·de·part·men·tal, adjectivesub·de·part·ment, nounsub·de·part·men·tal, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use department in a sentence

Asking each state to separately develop its technology has been a hindrance at a time when health departments are strapped for time, money, tech and marketing expertise.
A covid-fighting tool is buried in your phone. Turn it on.|Geoffrey Fowler|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
This administration has essentially destroyed and gutted the department and policies.
The case for a Native American secretary of the interior|Rachel Ramirez|November 20, 2020|Vox
If you’re traveling to other states, check with the state and local health departments to see if Virginia is on their list.
Virginia’s coronavirus numbers are rising. Here’s what you need to know.|Antonio Olivo|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
Instead, health departments in individual American states have been forced to create a patchwork of apps.
Do digital contact tracing apps work? Here’s what you need to know.|Cat Ferguson|November 20, 2020|MIT Technology Review

A department spokesman said Wednesday it is too early to know of any spikes in cases tied to the event.
Smithsonian museums, zoo to close as coronavirus caseload in D.C. region hits record for 16th day|Dana Hedgpeth, Ovetta Wiggins|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
Maybe it has to do with a departmental culture that downplays sexual assaults—an attitude that seems to start at the top.
In Washington, Sexual Assault Victims Find Justice Elusive||February 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
An affair that blossoms in his 40s and is quickly squelched by a departmental rival serves as his single true illumination.
Must-Read College Novels: From “Lucky Jim” to “Pnin”|Sam Munson|August 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He believed in the value of viva voce discussion, and discouraged all unnecessary inter-departmental correspondence.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
Government by the crown through departmental ministers acting independently of each other was no longer possible.
The Political History of England - Vol. X.|William Hunt
But it is also, like dressmaking, carried on in shops and in departmental stores.
The Canadian Girl at Work|Marjory MacMurchy
Why are properly classified departmental sales records of importance?
Cyclopedia of Commerce, Accountancy, Business Administration, v. 1|Various
In a comparison of departmental profits, the percentage of net profits should not be followed blindly.
Cyclopedia of Commerce, Accountancy, Business Administration, v. 1|Various

British Dictionary definitions for department

department

/ (dɪˈpɑːtmənt) /

noun

a specialized division of a large concern, such as a business, store, or universitythe geography department

a major subdivision or branch of the administration of a government

a branch or subdivision of learningphysics is a department of science

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

informal a specialized sphere of knowledge, skill, or activitywine-making is my wife's department

Derived forms of department

departmental (ˌdiːpɑːtˈmɛntəl), adjectivedepartmentally, adverb

Word Origin for department

C18: from French département, from départir to divide; see depart

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

department

OTHER WORDS FOR department

Origin of department

OTHER WORDS FROM department

Words related to department

How to use department in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for department

Derived forms of department

Word Origin for department