department
noun
de·part·ment
di-ˈpärt-mənt 
1
: 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
2
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 KeillorExamples 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
The county's hazmat team and police department also helped in securing the scene.
—Christine Sloan, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Executive orders apply only to agencies and departments under the governor’s control, though other offices in the executive branch, including the attorney general’s, often opt to comply with them.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline’s current Co-Editor-In-Chief and head of the TV department, has been named sole Editor-in-Chief.
—The Deadline Team, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
That notice usually goes directly to payroll or Human Resources, since those are the departments that process paychecks.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for department
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Christine Sloan, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Executive orders apply only to agencies and departments under the governor’s control, though other offices in the executive branch, including the attorney general’s, often opt to comply with them.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline’s current Co-Editor-In-Chief and head of the TV department, has been named sole Editor-in-Chief.
—The Deadline Team, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
That notice usually goes directly to payroll or Human Resources, since those are the departments that process paychecks.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for department
Cite this Entry
“Department.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/department. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share