departure

noun

de·​par·​ture di-ˈpär-chər How to pronounce departure (audio)
1
a(1)
: the act or an instance of departing
(2)
archaic : death
b
: a setting out (as on a new course)
2
: divergence sense 2
a departure from tradition

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At the beginning of the 2025 F1 season—and following the departure of veteran driver Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari—Mercedes updated its driver lineup, tapping 18-year-old Italian rookie Kimi Antonelli to join the more seasoned 27-year-old Briton George Russell. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025 The French house on Friday released a statement officially confirming the departure of its men’s artistic director Véronique Nichanian, without naming a successor. Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025 The crash took place around 15 miles east of the Capital Region International Airport, which has between three and seven departures a day. Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025 The community-centric atmosphere of today’s climbing gyms signals a departure from the sensibility of bygone eras, when climbers styled themselves as misfits and loners set apart from society at-large. Kelli María Korducki, HubSpot, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for departure

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of departure was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Departure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/departure. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

departure

noun
de·​par·​ture di-ˈpär-chər How to pronounce departure (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on departure

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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