departure

noun

de·​par·​ture di-ˈpär-chər 

1

a(1)

: the act or an instance of departing

(2)

archaic : death

b

: a setting out (as on a new course)

2

: a new or different way of doing something : divergence sense 2

a departure from tradition

Synonyms of departure

• departing
• exodus
• flight
• evacuation
• leave
• withdrawal
• going
• exiting
• parting
• exit

Examples of departure in a Sentence

What is your time of departure?

You should plan to arrive at the airport an hour before departure.

a schedule of arrivals and departures

The departures of several key employees have caused problems for the company.

her sudden departure from the company

The team has struggled since the departure of its head coach.

His previous movies have all been comedies, so this dramatic role is a real departure for him.

Recent Examples on the Web

The day has finally arrived for our departure to Earth. —William Harwood, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026

The departure of Crew-11 will leave the ISS with a skeleton crew of three people -- Russian cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchov, Sergey Kud-Sverchov and NASA astronaut Chris Williams - who arrived at the ISS in November. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 15 Jan. 2026

Iran issued a notice, known as a NOTAM, on Wednesday closing its airspace to all flights except international civil arrivals and departures with prior permission from Iran's aviation authorities. —ABC News, 15 Jan. 2026

Guests access the villas via a private elevator, where a dedicated concierge team is on hand around the clock to manage arrivals, departures, and requests. —David Morris, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing departure

• departure/arrival time
• point of departure
• pre-departure

Rhymes for departure

• marcher

Kids Definition

departure

noun

de·​par·​ture di-ˈpär-chər 

1

: the act of going away

2

: a setting out (as on a new course)

3

: a change from a usual course or standard

a departure from tradition

Legal Definition

departure

noun

de·​par·​ture

: a failure to follow : a deviation from a course or standard

an upward departure from the sentencing guidelines