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
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
According to 2024-25 CDC data, adults who had taken the vaccine were 33% more likely not to need emergency department or urgent care and 45%–46% effective in preventing hospitalizations among otherwise healthy adults over 65 year old.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 31 May 2025
Her department has appealed the National Endowment for the Arts’ decision to terminate grants awarded to the city.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 31 May 2025
The department confirmed the person arrested was an LGBTQ activist.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2025
The department said each area published on Thursday will receive formal notification they are deemed noncompliant and if they are believed to be in violation of any federal criminal statutes.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for department
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Lizz Schumer, People.com, 31 May 2025
Her department has appealed the National Endowment for the Arts’ decision to terminate grants awarded to the city.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 31 May 2025
The department confirmed the person arrested was an LGBTQ activist.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2025
The department said each area published on Thursday will receive formal notification they are deemed noncompliant and if they are believed to be in violation of any federal criminal statutes.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for department
Cite this Entry
“Department.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/department. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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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