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
Police departments in those jurisdictions generally do not help ICE carry out street-level arrests, and jails will not hold immigration violators charged with traffic offenses, or in some cases violent felonies.
—Nick Miroff The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 8 Dec. 2024
The department has been working with a partial revenue share from the conference over the past two seasons — about $19 million annually — but will begin receiving a full share of about $38-$40 million a year starting in 2025.
—Matt Murschel, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Dec. 2024
The agency launched a new email inbox in February for criminal justice authorities to use when reporting crimes and earlier this year sent police departments and state’s attorney’s offices information about the requirement to report charges to IDFPR.
—Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 6 Dec. 2024
The Justice Department under the first Trump administration curtailed the use of consent decrees, and the Republican president-elect is expected to again radically reshape the department’s priorities around civil rights.
—Adrian Sainz, Jonathan Mattise, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for department 
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Nick Miroff The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 8 Dec. 2024
The department has been working with a partial revenue share from the conference over the past two seasons — about $19 million annually — but will begin receiving a full share of about $38-$40 million a year starting in 2025.
—Matt Murschel, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Dec. 2024
The agency launched a new email inbox in February for criminal justice authorities to use when reporting crimes and earlier this year sent police departments and state’s attorney’s offices information about the requirement to report charges to IDFPR.
—Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 6 Dec. 2024
The Justice Department under the first Trump administration curtailed the use of consent decrees, and the Republican president-elect is expected to again radically reshape the department’s priorities around civil rights.
—Adrian Sainz, Jonathan Mattise, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for department
Dictionary Entries Near department
Cite this Entry
“Department.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/department. Accessed 22 Dec. 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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