departure

American  

[dih-pahr-cher] / dɪˈpɑr tʃər /

noun

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

• nondeparture noun
• predeparture noun

Etymology

Origin of departure

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

Example Sentences

His government was rocked last autumn by a corruption scandal that led to the departure of his closest adviser.

From BBC

This marks a radical departure from traditional U.S. policy, under which government purchases of equity were temporary and reserved for bailouts during systemic crises.

From The Wall Street Journal

But critics have raised copyright concerns and questioned the trend's novelty, arguing that it is too far a departure from the true essence of trot.

From BBC

An early departure by the head of the European Central Bank would give French President Emmanuel Macron a say in filling one of Europe’s most powerful jobs.

From The Wall Street Journal

Kyndryl Holdings jumped 5% after plummeting a record 55% on Monday when the company announced the departures of three top legal and financial executives and a review of its accounting practices.

From Barron's

Related Words

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