department

noun

de·​part·​ment di-ˈpärt-mənt How to pronounce department (audio)
1
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 departmentGarrison Keillor
2
: 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
departmental adjective
departmentally adverb

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 Since then, the department has tackled issues on its website by releasing workarounds and other help. The Arizona Republic, 10 Mar. 2024 The department also responds to over 3,100 emergency calls annually, according to the letter released Saturday. The Enquirer, 9 Mar. 2024 City Attorney Mara Elliott repeatedly rejected the idea, insisting that her office was the only city department authorized to hire outside law firms. Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2024 But close observers of the department see an escalation in both content and rhetoric under New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a former police captain. Jake Offenhartz, Quartz, 8 Mar. 2024 Records show the county spent more than $900,000 on Gonzales during his stint with the department. Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 Two high-ranking members of the department have already been demoted over their roles in the matter, according to Finner. USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2024 The roughly 16,000-acre site, which includes a huge buffer zone, is jointly operated by a contractor and Sandia National Laboratory on land owned by the energy department and Texas Tech University, according to Texas Health and Human Services. USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2024 During her third year, Nevarez had an internship in the school’s athletics department. Tim Casey, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'department.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1735, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of department was in 1735

Dictionary Entries Near department

Cite this Entry

“Department.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/department. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

department

noun
de·​part·​ment di-ˈpärt-mənt How to pronounce department (audio)
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 adjective
departmentally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on department

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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