department

noun

de·​part·​ment di-ˈpärt-mənt How to pronounce department (audio)
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 departmentGarrison Keillor
2
: 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
departmental adjective
departmentally adverb

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
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.
After a federal lawsuit accused USDA's data demand of violating federal privacy laws, a senior official said in court filings that data would not be collected until the department satisfied legal requirements and could ensure the data would be appropriately safeguarded. Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 24 June 2025 The county Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation under a reciprocal agreement with San Diego police so neither department investigates its own officers or deputies. Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025 Soon, each department will need to make an additional 5.5% cut, said Davenport, whose office drafts the budget and leads labor negotiations. Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025 Investigators are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact the department or CRIMELINE at 800-423-8477 (TIPS). Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for department

Word History

Etymology

French département, from Old French, act of dividing, from departir

First Known Use

1735, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of department was in 1735

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Department.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/department. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

department

noun
de·​part·​ment di-ˈpärt-mənt How to pronounce department (audio)
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 adjective
departmentally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on department

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!