department

American  

[dih-pahrt-muhnt] / dɪˈpɑrt mənt /

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) (formerly) a large geographical division of the U.S. or its possessions as divided for military and defense purposes.

    the Hawaiian Department.

---

department British  

/ 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

---

Other Word Forms

• departmental adjective
• departmentally adverb
• nondepartmental adjective
• nondepartmentally adverb
• predepartmental adjective
• subdepartment noun
• subdepartmental adjective

Etymology

Origin of department

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

Explanation

A department is one section or part of a larger group, like a company or a school. The philosophy department of a university is just one of many, including English, math, and sociology. Your local hospital has an emergency department, as well as surgical and mental health departments, or units. A company might have finance departments and hiring departments, and a town government has public works and fire departments. A "department store" is likewise split into sections. In each case, the departments specialize in one certain aspect of the organization. You can also say, "Making cookies is my department," if you're the person in your family who's the baking expert.

Example Sentences

He added that the focus should be less on the size of the department and more on a reenvisioning of public safety, including expanding the unarmed crisis responders program.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

“If a manufacturer is unable to correct the issue or if repeated noncompliance occurs, the department may take administrative action, including restricting or suspending the manufacturer’s operating permit,” Groveman said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

“We can’t just be building the housing if we don’t have the fire department resources or the road capacity to handle it,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

He’s looking to restructure the department, focus resources on patrol and line functions and increase the reserve program.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

In the meantime Mr. Blair and the Sunoco station manager had to get the fire department to break in the door and get Claude out.

From "The Best School Year Ever" by Barbara Robinson

Related Words

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