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

2

: 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

departmental

di-ˌpärt-ˈmen-tᵊl 

ˌdē-

adjective

departmentally

di-ˌpärt-ˈmen-tə-lē 

ˌdē-

adverb

Synonyms

• agency
• arm
• branch
• bureau
• desk
• division
• office
• service

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

The hires come at a busy time for the La Grange Park department, Maggos said. —Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025

In the unsafe food department, cooked mushrooms that needed to be cooled from 135 degrees to 70 degrees in two hours weren’t going to make it. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2025

The full fall/winter collection includes prints and graphics inspired by the college’s dance department with a soft and sophisticated color palette that contrasts with rich earth hues and deeper shades of brown and green, highlighted by vibrant accent colors throughout. —Fairchild Studio, WWD, 31 Jan. 2025

Life insurance rates may come from various sources, including the provider and state insurance departments. —Liz Knueven, CNBC, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French département, from Old French, act of dividing, from departir

First Known Use

1735, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing department

• department store
• fire department
• purchasing department
• sub-department

Kids 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

departmental

di-ˌpärt-ˈment-ᵊl 

ˌdē-

adjective

departmentally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb