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
But then hours later, the sheriff's department went back to the family's home near the North Carolina border, where Patterson was handcuffed, arrested, booked on suspicion of reckless conduct and forced to post $500 bail.
—David K. Li, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Although the exact dates of its arrival and discovery are unclear, the penny-sized bit of rock somehow found its way into a Purdue University biology department desk drawer, where faculty uncovered it in 1929.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024
San Francisco police are asking that anyone with information about the stabbing to call the department tip line at 415-575-444 or text a tip to Tip 411 and begin the text with SFPD.
Staff writer Harry Harris contributed to this report.
—Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
The closure affects all 263 workers at the East La Palma Avenue facility from Dec. 23-27, according to a filing with California’s employment department.
—Pat Maio, Orange County Register, 11 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for department 
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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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David K. Li, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Although the exact dates of its arrival and discovery are unclear, the penny-sized bit of rock somehow found its way into a Purdue University biology department desk drawer, where faculty uncovered it in 1929.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024
San Francisco police are asking that anyone with information about the stabbing to call the department tip line at 415-575-444 or text a tip to Tip 411 and begin the text with SFPD.
Staff writer Harry Harris contributed to this report.
—Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
The closure affects all 263 workers at the East La Palma Avenue facility from Dec. 23-27, according to a filing with California’s employment department.
—Pat Maio, Orange County Register, 11 Nov. 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 23 Nov. 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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