departure
Americannoun
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an act or instance of departing.
the time of departure; a hasty departure.
- Synonyms:
- leave-taking, exit, going, leaving
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divergence or deviation, as from a standard, rule, etc..
a departure from accepted teaching methods.
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Navigation.
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the distance due east or west traveled by a vessel or aircraft.
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Surveying. the length of the projection, on the east-west reference line, of a survey line.
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Archaic. death.
noun
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the act or an instance of departing
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a deviation or variation from previous custom; divergence
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a project, course of action, venture, etc
selling is a new departure for him
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nautical
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the net distance travelled due east or west by a vessel
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Also called: point of departure. the latitude and longitude of the point from which a vessel calculates dead reckoning
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a euphemistic word for death
Other Word Forms
- nondeparture noun
- predeparture noun
Etymology
Origin of departure
1375–1425; late Middle English < Old French departëure; compare Anglo-French departir (noun use of infinitive). See depart, -ure
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.
The BBC's statement on Wednesday came after mounting pressure on the broadcaster to explain what led to the Radio 2 DJ's sudden departure.
From BBC
Michael Rousseau's departure comes after he received heavy criticism in the aftermath of the incident, which killed two of the airline's pilots.
From BBC
The one big exception: if changes are made to the ticket after booking, like shifting the date or the time of departure.
News of the 53-year-old's departure was first reported by the Mirror, which reported that it "understands the allegation relates to a historic relationship".
From BBC
He watched vigilantly until the badger’s squat body disappeared through the trees, but he did not wait for the crackling sound of her departure.
From Literature
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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.