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

Jane Doe deserved a police department that actually followed up on her case. — Jeannine Chiang, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026

The sheriff's department urged the public to contact West Hollywood Station Detectives with further information. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026

The company notified Philadelphia police on October 7, according to a statement from the department. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026

Attorneys who represent officers that have sued the department over whistleblower retaliation dismiss the claim by Chief Jim McDonnell and others that some cops are exaggerating their claims in pursuit of a big payday. — Sean Greene, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

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