departure

American  

[dih-pahr-cher] / dɪˈpɑr tʃər /

noun

• departures
  plural

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

Derived Forms

• nondeparture
  noun
• predeparture
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• departures
  plural

Etymology

Origin of departure

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

Explanation

A departure is the act of leaving somewhere. Think about an airport that has departure gates for outgoing passengers and an arrival area for people flying in. Since departing means to leave, a departure is an act of leaving. There are many type of departures, such as when you go to the store or take a flight. A departure can be a metaphor too, as in a departure from the norm, like if a TV cop show suddenly turns into a vampire show. If a comedian starts being serious, that's a departure too. This word is also a euphemism for death, as in "a departure from life."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

departure departures

The transfer ends United's attempts to strengthen their midfield following the departure of veteran Brazilian Casemiro after his contract expired.

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026

Harry and Meghan’s departure reflected both the larger struggle Black Brits and Americans face and the no-contact rifts that increasingly divide many families.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026

Business experts say the departure suggests a rift with the family, particularly Noel Tata, the head of Tata Trusts since 2024.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026

Why he was forced out was never made clear, although his departure coincided with the leaking of details over an alleged plot to target Israelis in Turkey.

From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026

“Meg, I wish you’d go and see the Hummels. You know Mother told us not to forget them.” said Beth, ten days after Mrs. March’s departure.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

At least some of the departures weren’t by choice as several officials were notified Wednesday that their positions had been eliminated, the people said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

The carrier plans to boost the share of premium seating on narrow-body departures to 40% from about 25% currently.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026

A chunk of that outlay will be funded by the sales of Rodri and James Trafford as well as the likely departures of Tijjani Reijnders and Savinho.

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026

Once a byword for joyful excess, Havana has been hollowed by blackouts, departures and deep uncertainty about its future.

From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026

But for every one of those, there was one that spiraled into sniping and accusations, slammed doors and quick departures.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers

Related Words

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