departure

[ dih-pahr-cher ]

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.

departure

/ 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 calledpoint of departure the latitude and longitude of the point from which a vessel calculates dead reckoning
5. See death
   a euphemistic word for death

Other Words From

• nonde·parture noun
• prede·parture noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of departure¹

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

Example Sentences

Prior to their departure, workers at the center run the mail through large sorting machines to separate out which mail should go where.

From Voice of San Diego

At first, the new approach did not seem to lead to any important departures from the standard predictions.

From Nautilus

Reshape the economy away from work-based valueOne of the greatest challenges in a departure from work is for people to find value elsewhere in life.

From Singularity Hub 

His departure followed an investigation commissioned by the district that stemmed from a series of internal complaints among the staff.

From Voice of San Diego

After spending two months on leave, he negotiated a departure deal in April this year that included 10 months’ pay, or $147,000, district records show.

From Voice of San Diego

The poet apparently collapsed in the street upon his departure from “The Horse” and died not long after.

From The Daily Beast

But while his departure was “inexpressibly painful,” he never succumbed to bitterness.

From The Daily Beast

And in a big departure from established royal protocol, Prince George might even get a—gasp—present to open on Christmas Day.

From The Daily Beast

Now, the departure of 70-year-old Jeffries seems 10 years too late.

From The Daily Beast

Taking to the small screen represents a big departure by Pippa from the Royal party line.

From The Daily Beast

He explains the late departure of the ships for Nueva España, and the consequent mortality reported on one of them.

From Project Gutenberg

It was near the hour, by the time they got there, when David Arden would arrive from his northern point of departure.

From Project Gutenberg

He bowed, with a flourish of his plumed hat, and would with that have taken his departure but that the Seneschal stayed him.

From Project Gutenberg

His departure in autumn had been so gradual, that it was difficult to say when night began to overcome the day.

From Project Gutenberg

The issue of government paper money is, indeed, a new departure; but its purpose has been more distinctly monetary than fiscal.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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