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

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Etymology

Origin of departure

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

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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

With the departure of Harrison Mevis, the Rams will have used six field goal kickers in five seasons.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026

But does her sudden departure highlight the challenges broadcasters face covering the women's game in an ever-changing media landscape?

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

That’s a departure from conventional state personal tax, which is levied on income such as wages and the proceeds from sales of stocks, bonds and other such financial assets.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

Bajaria’s departure comes a day after Netflix said it was cutting 6% of its staff, or roughly 1,000 positions globally, its biggest round of layoffs since 2022.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

He called his men together and ordered them to fit out a fleet and prepare for immediate departure, but to do all secretly.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

Still, there have been a few notable departures.

From Salon ● Oct. 17, 2026

RSF has said that a third country has offered him asylum, without specifying which, but that departures planned for February and June were cancelled after Thai immigration authorities withheld exit clearance without explanation.

From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026

After LeBron James led a wave of veteran departures, the Lakers rebuilt around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

People queue at metal detectors and gaze up at the departures board.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026

The departures of Wilson and Spencer left Smith and Hickock and Andrews alone with the Row’s burning lights and veiled windows.

From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote

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Related Words

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

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