department

noun

de·​part·​ment di-ˈpärt-mənt 

1

: 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

2

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

departmental

di-ˌpärt-ˈmen-tᵊl 

ˌdē-

adjective

departmentally

di-ˌpärt-ˈmen-tə-lē 

ˌdē-

adverb

Synonyms of department

• agency
• office
• bureau

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 best part of two summers were spent sourcing Martinez’s successor, meaning the scouting department could provide heavily detailed reports of possible replacements. — Aston Villa, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

The department remains committed to co-operating with all jurisdictions pursuing potential crimes. — Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026

The decision came after Adani's attorneys at Sullivan & Cromwell including Bob Giuffra met with department officials about the case. — Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026

The team went 0-10 in 2025 and is 1-2 this season under first-year coach Patrick Goodpaster, a lieutentant in the Gardena police department in charge of homicides. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

circa 1735, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing department

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

Rhymes for department

• apartment
• compartment
• departement

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