department
dih-PAHTMNT
Department (noun) means a distinct section of an organisation, business, or government responsible for a particular area of work. Example: “She works in the marketing department at head office.”
noun
1
A distinct section of an organisation, business, or government responsible for a particular area of work.
"She works in the marketing department at head office."
"The fire department responded within minutes of the call."
"Please send your complaint to the customer service department."
2
A particular area of responsibility, skill, or interest (often used loosely).
"Cooking dinner is definitely my husband's department, not mine."
"Don't ask me about gardening, that's my sister's department."
"Remembering birthdays is not really my department, I'm afraid."
3
One of the administrative regions into which France is divided.
"France is made up of just over one hundred departments."
"She was born in a rural department in the west of France."
"Maps of France show each department with its own name and number."
How to use department
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA section of a larger organisation, or informally, someone's area of responsibility.
Common pairings
department store
human resources department
not my department
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Word forms
- Plural
- departments
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She works in the marketing _____ at head office.
Etymology
From Middle French département, itself from départir ("to divide, distribute"); the same root as "depart."
Related words
Rhymes for department
See all rhymes for department →Frequently asked questions
What does “department” mean?
The word “department” means a distinct section of an organisation, business, or government responsible for a particular area of work. In plain terms, a section of a larger organisation, or informally, someone's area of responsibility.
How do you pronounce “department”?
“Department” is pronounced dih-PAHTMNT (/dɪˈpɑɹtmənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “department” in a sentence?
Here is “department” used in a sentence: “She works in the marketing department at head office.”
What part of speech is “department”?
“Department” is a noun.
Where does the word “department” come from?
The word “department” comes from Middle French. From Middle French département, itself from départir ("to divide, distribute"); the same root as "depart.".
Is “department” a common word?
“Department” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “department” have?
“Department” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a distinct section of an organisation, business, or government responsible for a particular area of work.
What is the difference between a department and a division?
Both are sections of a larger organisation, and usage varies between companies. Often a division is the bigger unit — a self-contained part of a business with its own products or market — while departments are the smaller functional teams within it, such as sales or accounts. Some firms reverse the order.
What are examples of departments in a company?
Common ones include human resources, finance, marketing, sales, customer service, IT, and operations. Each handles a specific area of work and has its own staff and manager. In shops the word also describes sections selling different goods, and in government it names major bodies such as the Department of Health.
What is the difference between a department and a ministry?
Both are branches of government, and the terms often overlap. Many countries call their main government bodies departments, while others call them ministries; some use both, with a ministry headed by a minister and a department by a senior civil servant. The everyday function — running one area of policy — is the same.
Why are organisations divided into departments?
Splitting work into departments groups people with similar skills and goals, so each area — finance, marketing, production — can specialise, be managed clearly, and be held accountable for its own results. It keeps a large organisation orderly and makes responsibilities easier to see and coordinate.
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