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
departmental
di-ˌpärt-ˈmen-tᵊl
adjective ˌdē-
departmentally
di-ˌpärt-ˈmen-tə-lē
adverb ˌdē-
Synonyms
- agency
- arm
- branch
- bureau
- desk
- division
- office
- service
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 The police department and the City of Childersburg did not respond to phone calls and emails Saturday requesting comment about Jennings' arrest or the lawsuit. Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 10 Sep. 2022 Soon after the Arizona law was signed, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver ruled that a YouTube journalist and blogger’s lawsuit against a suburban Denver police department could move forward. Bob Christie, ajc, 9 Sep. 2022 Soon after the Arizona law was signed, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver ruled that a YouTube journalist and blogger’s lawsuit against a suburban Denver police department could move forward. Bob Christie, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Sep. 2022 The team would not replace the police department’s Mobile Crisis Assistant Teams (MCAT), which consist of an officer trained on crisis intervention and a clinician who respond to certain situations. Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Sep. 2022 Just over three months after an elementary school massacre in Uvalde, Texas claimed the lives of 19 children and two teachers, the town’s local police department is investigating another shooting at a local park. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2022 In addition to the flag display, there will be a tent set up with information on the terrorist attacks, including a Sept. 11, 2001, events timeline, said South Elgin Officer Jim Creighton, who handles community relations for the police department. Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2022 The police department would not confirm the Review-Journal's report. Christine Pelisek, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2022 The Surprise, Arizona, police department did not immediately respond to requests for updates on the case. Emma Colton, Fox News, 7 Sep. 2022 See More
Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 10 Sep. 2022 Soon after the Arizona law was signed, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver ruled that a YouTube journalist and blogger’s lawsuit against a suburban Denver police department could move forward. Bob Christie, ajc, 9 Sep. 2022 Soon after the Arizona law was signed, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver ruled that a YouTube journalist and blogger’s lawsuit against a suburban Denver police department could move forward. Bob Christie, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Sep. 2022 The team would not replace the police department’s Mobile Crisis Assistant Teams (MCAT), which consist of an officer trained on crisis intervention and a clinician who respond to certain situations. Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Sep. 2022 Just over three months after an elementary school massacre in Uvalde, Texas claimed the lives of 19 children and two teachers, the town’s local police department is investigating another shooting at a local park. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2022 In addition to the flag display, there will be a tent set up with information on the terrorist attacks, including a Sept. 11, 2001, events timeline, said South Elgin Officer Jim Creighton, who handles community relations for the police department. Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2022 The police department would not confirm the Review-Journal's report. Christine Pelisek, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2022 The Surprise, Arizona, police department did not immediately respond to requests for updates on the case. Emma Colton, Fox News, 7 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
French département, from Old French, act of dividing, from departir
First Known Use
1735, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing department
Kids Definition
department
noun
de·part·ment di-ˈpärt-mənt
: a special part or division of an organization (as a government or college)
departments
noun
1
as in agencies
a large unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization the Department of the Interior Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- agencies
- offices
- bureaus
- services
- desks
- branches
- divisions
- bureaux
- sub-departments
- arms
- subdivisions
- subdepartments
2
as in areas
a region of activity, knowledge, or influence that's not my department, but maybe I can help you anyway Synonyms & Similar Words
- areas
- realms
- domains
- fields
- spheres
- kingdoms
- provinces
- specialties
- disciplines
- walks
- elements
- businesses
- territories
- circles
- studies
- precincts
- fiefdoms
- terrains
- fronts
- arenas
- bailiwicks
- subjects
- fiefs
- baronies
- games
- professions
- lines
- confines
- pursuits
- firmaments
- demesnes
- frontiers
- occupations
- vocations
- scopes
- dimensions
- subfields
- subspecialties
- turfs
- rackets
- reaches
- widths
- sub-specialties
- ambits
- sweeps
- compasses
- extents
- breadths
- amplitudes
- kens
- turves