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 called: point of departure. the latitude and longitude of the point from which a vessel calculates dead reckoning

5. a euphemistic word for death

Other Word Forms

• nondeparture noun
• predeparture 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

Mr Law said he applied for a visa that would have allowed him a "one-time entry for a few days", and that it was approved three weeks before his departure.

From BBC

And in the chain of events her departure causes, Anderson dives headfirst into the film’s more intimate elements, presenting a soulful and darkly humorous counterpart to the film’s cold, violent first act.

From Salon

Lees' departure at half-time left Saints short on the bench on a physically taxing night in West Yorkshire as Leeds piled forward in search of more tries after the break.

From BBC

Of course, the key catalyst of the recent flurry of interest from parties interested in taking over at Tottenham is the departure of long-serving executive chairman Levy.

From BBC

In hindsight, the record is a departure mostly in the sense that the record demands listeners’ undivided attention and is best absorbed all at once.

From Salon

Related Words

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