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
Employers believe that workers in specific departments, like sales and marketing (85%) and human resources (78%), will derive significant value from AI implementation.
—Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
As such, athletic directors are increasingly being treated like CEOs, with their take-home pay directly tied to their departments’ bottom line.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 15 July 2025
The city and its utilities department is handling the acts of vandalism, working with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2025
Prior to running The Pitt's emergency department like a pro, the master was just a med student on ER.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 15 July 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.
Send us feedback.
Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
As such, athletic directors are increasingly being treated like CEOs, with their take-home pay directly tied to their departments’ bottom line.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 15 July 2025
The city and its utilities department is handling the acts of vandalism, working with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2025
Prior to running The Pitt's emergency department like a pro, the master was just a med student on ER.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 15 July 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 21 Jul. 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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