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View synonyms for

department

[ dih-pahrt-muhnt ]

noun

  1. a distinct part of anything arranged in divisions; a division of a complex whole or organized system.

    Synonyms: , , , ,

  2. one of the principal branches of a governmental organization:

    the sanitation department.

  3. (initial capital letter) one of the principal divisions of the U.S. federal government, headed by a secretary who is a member of the president's cabinet.
  4. a division of a business enterprise dealing with a particular area of activity:

    the personnel department.

  5. a section of a retail store selling a particular class or kind of goods:

    the sportswear department.

  6. one of the sections of a school or college dealing with a particular field of knowledge:

    the English department.

  7. one of the large districts into which certain countries, as France, are divided for administrative purposes.
  8. a division of official business, duties, or functions:

    judicial departments.

  9. a sphere or province of activity, knowledge, or responsibility:

    Paying the bills is not my department.

  10. (usually initial capital letter) U.S. Army. (formerly) a large geographical division of the U.S. or its possessions as divided for military and defense purposes:

    the Hawaiian Department.



department

/ dɪˈpɑːtmənt; ˌdiːpɑːtˈmɛntəl /

noun

  1. a specialized division of a large concern, such as a business, store, or university

    the geography department

  2. a major subdivision or branch of the administration of a government
  3. a branch or subdivision of learning

    physics is a department of science

  4. a territorial and administrative division in several countries, such as France
  5. informal.
    a specialized sphere of knowledge, skill, or activity

    wine-making is my wife's department

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • departmental, adjective
  • ˌ貹ˈԳٲ, adverb
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Other Word Forms

  • ·貹··ٲ [dih-pahrt-, men, -tl, dee-pahrt-], adjective
  • ·貹·t· adverb
  • ԴDzd·貹·t adjective
  • non·貹·t· adverb
  • d·貹·t adjective
  • ܲd·貹mԳ noun
  • ܲd·貹·t adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of department1

First recorded in 1730–35; from French é貹ٱ𳾱Գ; equivalent to depart + -ment
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Word History and Origins

Origin of department1

C18: from French é貹ٱ𳾱Գ, from é貹پ to divide; see depart
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Under orders from its legal department, ‘’60 Minutes’’ did not broadcast the interview or air Wigand’s most damaging charges until after the Wall Street Journal reported on a deposition he gave in another case.

From

The department “will begin by thoroughly examining UC Berkeley’s apparent failure to fully and accurately disclose significant funding received from foreign sources,” U.S.

From

Justice department attorney Elizabeth Kurlan told a federal court that immigration officials are now working on a new system for reviewing and terminating visas for international students.

From

The department claims these add up to $8.3bn, but after examining the evidence provided and speaking to people familiar with federal contracts, this figure appears to be overstated.

From

He also said his department would investigate potential causes.

From

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é貹ٱ𳾱Գdepartmentalism