department

[ dih-pahrt-muhnt ]

noun

1. a distinct part of anything arranged in divisions; a division of a complex whole or organized system.

   Synonyms: segment, unit, section, bureau, branch

2. one of the principal branches of a governmental organization:

   the sanitation department.

3. (initial capital letter) one of the principal divisions of the U.S. federal government, headed by a secretary who is a member of the president's cabinet.
4. a division of a business enterprise dealing with a particular area of activity:

   the personnel department.

5. a section of a retail store selling a particular class or kind of goods:

   the sportswear department.

6. one of the sections of a school or college dealing with a particular field of knowledge:

   the English department.

7. one of the large districts into which certain countries, as France, are divided for administrative purposes.
8. a division of official business, duties, or functions:

   judicial departments.

9. a sphere or province of activity, knowledge, or responsibility:

   Paying the bills is not my department.

10. (usually initial capital letter) U.S. Army. (formerly) a large geographical division of the U.S. or its possessions as divided for military and defense purposes:

    the Hawaiian Department.

department

/ dɪˈpɑːtmənt; ˌdiːpɑːtˈmɛntəl /

noun

1. a specialized division of a large concern, such as a business, store, or university

   the geography department

2. a major subdivision or branch of the administration of a government
3. a branch or subdivision of learning

   physics is a department of science

4. a territorial and administrative division in several countries, such as France
5. informal.
   a specialized sphere of knowledge, skill, or activity

   wine-making is my wife's department

Derived Forms

• departmental, adjective
• ˌdepartˈmentally, adverb

Other Words From

• de·part·men·tal [dih-pahrt-, men, -tl, dee-pahrt-], adjective
• de·part·mental·ly adverb
• nonde·part·mental adjective
• nonde·part·mental·ly adverb
• prede·part·mental adjective
• subde·partment noun
• subde·part·mental adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of department¹

First recorded in 1730–35; from French département; equivalent to depart + -ment

Word History and Origins

Origin of department¹

C18: from French département, from départir to divide; see depart

Example Sentences

Having long promised to gut the federal workforce and even eliminate some departments, Trump has foregone many of the norms associated with peacefully taking office.

From Salon

The commission must approve exception appointments at the most senior grade, but below this level departments have a free hand to recruit.

From BBC

The housing department has proposed increasing the minimum amount of time tenants have to live in their social home before buying them from the current three years.

From BBC

Virtually none of the people the president-elect is choosing to lead the various departments have any qualifications for the jobs he's putting them into and little or no management experience of any kind.

From Salon

Hegseth has no experience that suggests he could lead a department with more than three million workers.

From Salon

Related Words

• administration
• agency
• area
• board
• branch
• bureau
• commission
• division
• office
• staff
• station
• unit