department store
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of department store
An Americanism dating back to 1885–90
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Originally a huge music department store which sold records and instruments, the building had been slated for demolition after the store filed for insolvency in 1995.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
As fast as she could, my mother went to the schoolbook section of Gimbel’s department store and brought home teachers’ reading books.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
Buffett himself has often highlighted mistakes in his retail investments, calling a 1966 deal to buy a Baltimore department store one of his biggest mistakes.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026
Macy’s faces declining department store views, but Bloomingdale’s comparable sales increased 7% last year.
From Barron's • May 18, 2026
Ruby worked for a department store in the mall.
From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
