department

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

Synonyms of department

• agency
• office
• bureau

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

During his time with the department, Nava served as a community police officer, school resource officer, and a member of the North division’s crime response team. —Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Nov. 2025

Archdeacon, who now leads roughly 1,000 UC Health doctors as CEO of University of Cincinnati Physicians, later described the decision as a cost-saving move for the department that had nothing to do with his relationship with Stryker. —Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Nov. 2025

The American University in Cairo opens its downtown premises to host events, while student collaborations with design and architecture departments help shape festival spaces. —Essie Assibu, Variety, 11 Nov. 2025

The department's traffic division will be housed among them. —Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 11 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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