51Թ

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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 51Թ 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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51Թ 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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51Թ 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.

Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden has written to government departments asking them to justify the existence of every taxpayer-funded organisation not directly controlled by ministers.

From

In March, the Homeland Security and State departments detained several foreign students, including those at Columbia University, for deportation.

From

India's weather department has warned of high temperatures in parts of northern India, including capital Delhi, for this week.

From

It has long been asked to detail in which departments it will find the savings, and a key party figure had suggested forced redundancies were on the table.

From

While it’s unclear why Brocato fled to California, the department said the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office had “alerted several law enforcement agencies in Southern California.”

From

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