department
noun
de·part·ment
di-ˈpärt-mənt 
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 department—
Garrison Keillor
Garrison Keillor2
: 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
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
Jeff Glenn, Apex’s executive director, said the department had been with its old vendor for four years.
—Tim Casey, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Both Delta and Aeromexico said in separate statements that the carriers were disappointed by the department's decision and were reviewing the order before considering next steps.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
At times, this approach rippled through the interior department, as was the case with the Solène-embargo fiasco.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2025
Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward, who moderated the discussion, wanted to know how agriculture departments could better work with companies, the federal government and consumers to be helpful and more effective.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for department
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Tim Casey, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Both Delta and Aeromexico said in separate statements that the carriers were disappointed by the department's decision and were reviewing the order before considering next steps.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
At times, this approach rippled through the interior department, as was the case with the Solène-embargo fiasco.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2025
Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward, who moderated the discussion, wanted to know how agriculture departments could better work with companies, the federal government and consumers to be helpful and more effective.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for department
Cite this Entry
“Department.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/department. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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