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

: divergence sense 2

a departure from tradition

Synonyms

• 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

For Christmas, Google Flights says the low price range is historically 32 to 73 days before departure, with the lowest prices available 51 days out. —Eve Chen, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025

Every departure means more overtime for the remaining staff, more fatigue and more burnout, which is a cycle that often repeats itself. —Jason Truppi, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025

Historical trappings aside, the role marks a departure from the rakish George Wickham or anyone he’s portrayed before. —Alex Ritman, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025

Enninful announced his departure from the upper echelons of Vogue the summer prior to his final issue. —Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025

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