department
noun
de·part·ment
di-ˈpärt-mənt 
1
a
: a distinct sphere : province
that's not my department
b
: a category consisting especially of a measurable activity or attribute
lacking in the trustworthiness department—
Garrison Keillor
Garrison Keillor2
: a functional or territorial division: such as
a
: a major administrative division of a government
b
: a major territorial administrative subdivision
c
: a division of a college or school giving instruction in a particular subject
d
: a major division of a business
e
: a section of a department store handling a particular kind of merchandise
f
: a territorial subdivision made for the administration and training of military units
Examples of department in a Sentence
Your letter has been forwarded to our sales department.
When you get to the hospital, go directly to the X-ray department.
the university's math and science departments
the department of modern languages
She joined the town's police department.
Recent Examples on the Web
But leaders of more than a dozen federal agencies and departments revolted and told employees, that the world's wealthiest man isn't their boss.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025
Cherished veterans such as David West and Andrew Bogut made vital contributions to that department, too.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
In the past month, thousands of probationary employees across departments and agencies have been terminated.
—Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
Finance Manager Responsibilities include: Maintain vendor lists, entering invoices submitted by other departments and advising on expense coding.
—Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for department
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025
Cherished veterans such as David West and Andrew Bogut made vital contributions to that department, too.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
In the past month, thousands of probationary employees across departments and agencies have been terminated.
—Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
Finance Manager Responsibilities include: Maintain vendor lists, entering invoices submitted by other departments and advising on expense coding.
—Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for department
Cite this Entry
“Department.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/department. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
department
noun
de·part·ment
di-ˈpärt-mənt
1
: a distinct area of interest or activity
taking care of the cat is not my department
2
a
: a major administrative division of a government or business
b
: a major territorial administrative division
c
: a division of a college or school giving instruction in a particular subject
d
: a section of a department store
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