department

1 of 2

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

departmental

2 of 2

adjective

de·​part·​men·​tal də̇¦pärt¦mentᵊl 

-pȧt-, 

dē¦-, 

¦dēˌp-

: of or relating to a department

departmentally

-ntᵊlē 

-li

adverb

Synonyms of department

Noun

• agency
• office
• bureau

Examples of department in a Sentence

Noun

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

Noun

The zaobanchu, located in the Forbidden City complex and around the country, had dozens of departments specializing in paintings, textiles, wood carving, materials and more — every minute aspect required to create elaborate pieces. — Stephy Chung, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

While the haunting serial murders are the mainstay within the show, Kay also smartly addresses resentments in the police department between patrol cops and detectives and even officers who turn on each other. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026

The police department says that Stewart has been arrested more than 100 times, including for 15 felony convictions. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

The county would have to assume the service contracts the Sheriff’s Office has with smaller cities that do not have their own fire-rescue departments, including Weston, Dania Beach, Lauderdale Lakes and Cooper City. — Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

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