department store

noun

Synonyms of department storenext
: a store having separate sections for a wide variety of goods

Examples of department store in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The two first met years ago when Kogi was the buyer for United Arrows & Sons, the menswear arm of Japan’s United Arrows department store. Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 26 Jan. 2026 Following the fire, the school operated virtually for several months and, in mid-April of 2025, moved into a former Sears department store in Santa Monica. Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026 Macy’s will lay off roughly 1,000 workers as the department store continues a culling of its distribution and store network. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 22 Jan. 2026 The retail company, which is the parent of luxury department stores Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, missed a $100 million debt payment in December, a move that exposed financial weaknesses in its business. Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for department store

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of department store was in 1887

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Department store.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/department%20store. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

department store

noun
: a store having separate sections for a wide variety of goods
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!