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
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
Boozman's remarks to reporters on Tuesday followed the department's recent warning to state agencies about suspending allotments for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, citing the nearly monthlong federal government shutdown as the reason.
—Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2025
Detectives also learned the victim contacted her brother before calling police, and a significant break came after the first press conference when tips led investigators to the suspects, according to the department.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
The department will be asking the state legislature for $120 million in additional funding, but the money is not guaranteed to be approved, particularly in the face of budget uncertainty after Congress passed a bill in July that puts new financial burdens on states.
—Elliot Haspel, The Atlantic, 28 Oct. 2025
During the shutdown, Rollins said the department has spent money to open FSA officers for farmers as well as pay food and safety inspectors while also maintaining the SNAP program in October.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for department
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2025
Detectives also learned the victim contacted her brother before calling police, and a significant break came after the first press conference when tips led investigators to the suspects, according to the department.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
The department will be asking the state legislature for $120 million in additional funding, but the money is not guaranteed to be approved, particularly in the face of budget uncertainty after Congress passed a bill in July that puts new financial burdens on states.
—Elliot Haspel, The Atlantic, 28 Oct. 2025
During the shutdown, Rollins said the department has spent money to open FSA officers for farmers as well as pay food and safety inspectors while also maintaining the SNAP program in October.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for department
Cite this Entry
“Department.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/department. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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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