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

That’s what equity analysts were told Friday morning after Kering revealed the departure of the brand’s star designer Anthony Vaccarello. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026

Shortly before his departure, Sweeney published an essay that reaffirmed his curatorial convictions. — Wendy S. Walters, Architectural Digest, 12 Oct. 2026

Burnham’s approach marks a departure after years in which both Conservative and Labour governments have avoided reopening the painful Brexit debate. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026

Of the 186 chief executive departures Challenger, Gray & Christmas counted in August, government and nonprofit organizations accounted for 62, more than any other sector. — Anna Maria Chavez, Fortune, 11 Oct. 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