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
Synonyms
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
After graduation and work as a butcher, Chan served as an art department assistant on The Secret Rapture (1993), then was a senior draughtsman on Hackers (1995).
—Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Apr. 2024
Phil DiMartino, a spokesman for the police department.
—Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2024
The police department currently has a shortage of over 250 officers.
—Rachel Smith, The Courier-Journal, 26 Apr. 2024
Hogan, 18, has worked for the department since 2009.
—Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 26 Apr. 2024
Right now, in the kitchen department, customers can score deals on tools and appliances, including Dutch ovens and knife sets, from fan-favorite brands like Cuisinart, Corningware, Black and Decker, and more, with discounts up to 65 percent off.
—Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 26 Apr. 2024
The plan resulted from the department’s review of its support for the U.S. gun industry—a process that began after a Bloomberg News investigation last year linked record civilian gun exports to higher rates of gun crime in countries including Guatemala, Brazil and Canada.
—David Kocieniewski / Bloomberg, TIME, 26 Apr. 2024
According to Brous, this limited time item will once again be available in the store’s bakery department starting in July 2024 through September 2024.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2024
An officer drove up to Anthony and signaled him to pull over — the department could not confirm if a chase took place.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2024
Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Apr. 2024
Phil DiMartino, a spokesman for the police department.
—Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2024
The police department currently has a shortage of over 250 officers.
—Rachel Smith, The Courier-Journal, 26 Apr. 2024
Hogan, 18, has worked for the department since 2009.
—Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 26 Apr. 2024
Right now, in the kitchen department, customers can score deals on tools and appliances, including Dutch ovens and knife sets, from fan-favorite brands like Cuisinart, Corningware, Black and Decker, and more, with discounts up to 65 percent off.
—Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 26 Apr. 2024
The plan resulted from the department’s review of its support for the U.S. gun industry—a process that began after a Bloomberg News investigation last year linked record civilian gun exports to higher rates of gun crime in countries including Guatemala, Brazil and Canada.
—David Kocieniewski / Bloomberg, TIME, 26 Apr. 2024
According to Brous, this limited time item will once again be available in the store’s bakery department starting in July 2024 through September 2024.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2024
An officer drove up to Anthony and signaled him to pull over — the department could not confirm if a chase took place.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'department.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near department
Cite this Entry
“Department.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/department. Accessed 1 May. 2024.
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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