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

Example Sentences

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 Deputies took cover as the department’s emergency response team and crisis negotiation team were summoned to the scene. Sam Whiting, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Mar. 2023 Steward did say the department’s ambulances and other vehicles are in good shape and dispatchers were quickly turning around calls. Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2023 Interviews will be conducted Saturday, according to the police department’s post. Kia Fatahi, CNN, 25 Mar. 2023 Buttigieg testified before a Senate committee on his department's budget. Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner, 24 Mar. 2023 Two days later, the Civilian Oversight Commission released a scathing report detailing the history of gangs within the department’s ranks. Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2023 The department’s goal is to lower the hold time to 90 seconds for every call. María Ramos Pacheco, Dallas News, 24 Mar. 2023 The department's Electrical Services division reports a 33% vacancy rate, which is affecting the response time. Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 24 Mar. 2023 McCarter's fellow cadets painted a mural of her in the department's youth service building following her death. Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 23 Mar. 2023 See More

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 31 Mar. 2023.

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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