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
Over just eight months, department officials have opened a $500 million tap for charter schools, a huge outlay for an option that often draws children from traditional public schools.
—Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 8 Oct. 2025
The Williams Education Fund, which is the athletic department’s revenue generating arm, was named after Sean and Todd’s father, uncle and grandfather.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2025
The Hood County sheriff said that his department’s dive team was dispatched to the scene.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 2025
Too steep a fall here in the goals-against department could spell trouble.
—Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 7 Oct. 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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Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 8 Oct. 2025
The Williams Education Fund, which is the athletic department’s revenue generating arm, was named after Sean and Todd’s father, uncle and grandfather.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2025
The Hood County sheriff said that his department’s dive team was dispatched to the scene.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 2025
Too steep a fall here in the goals-against department could spell trouble.
—Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 7 Oct. 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 8 Oct. 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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