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

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

ABC’s strenuous arguments mark a departure for the Disney-owned outlet.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

Last week’s abrupt departure of the United Arab Emirates from the organization after six decades is just the latest crack in OPEC’s front.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

He has been more successful than Celtic could have hoped for when they brought him out of retirement after Brendan Rodgers' acrimonious departure, and again following Wilfried Nancy's ill-fated eight-game spell.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

If a partnership were to happen, it would mark a departure from Apple’s traditional manufacturing playbook, as the company has partnered extensively with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

“This different perspective you claim to have. It’s interesting. And how did you manage to evade departure to America?”

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

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