departure
dih-PAHT-yuh
Departure (noun) means the act of leaving a place, especially at the start of a journey. Example: “Passengers should arrive two hours before departure.”
noun
1
The act of leaving a place, especially at the start of a journey.
"Passengers should arrive two hours before departure."
"Her sudden departure from the company surprised everyone."
"The departure of the morning train was delayed by half an hour."
2
A move away from what is usual, expected, or previously planned.
"The film is a real departure from the director's earlier work."
"Wearing bright colours was a bold departure from her usual style."
"The new menu is a welcome departure from the same old dishes."
How to use departure
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLeaving somewhere, or a noticeable change from the usual approach.
Common pairings
departure lounge
departure time
a departure from tradition
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Word forms
- Plural
- departures
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Passengers should arrive two hours before _____.
Etymology
From Old French deportëure, related to "depart" — originally could also mean "death," a sense that still lingers in phrases like "her sad departure."
Synonyms
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going
withdrawal
deviation
divergence
setting off
retreat
loss
difference
passing
expiration
leaving
exit
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for departure
See all rhymes for departure →Frequently asked questions
What does “departure” mean?
The word “departure” means the act of leaving a place, especially at the start of a journey. In plain terms, leaving somewhere, or a noticeable change from the usual approach.
How do you pronounce “departure”?
“Departure” is pronounced dih-PAHT-yuh (/dɪˈpɑː(ɹ)tjə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “departure” in a sentence?
Here is “departure” used in a sentence: “Passengers should arrive two hours before departure.”
What is another word for “departure”?
Words with a similar meaning to “departure” include leaving and exit.
What is the opposite of “departure”?
The opposite of “departure” — its antonyms — is arrival.
What part of speech is “departure”?
“Departure” is a noun.
Where does the word “departure” come from?
The word “departure” comes from Old French. From Old French deportëure, related to "depart" — originally could also mean "death," a sense that still lingers in phrases like "her sad departure.".
Is “departure” a common word?
“Departure” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "departure" and "arrival"?
"Departure" is the act of leaving a place, especially at the start of a journey, while "arrival" is reaching the destination. Airports and stations list departures for outgoing services and arrivals for incoming ones.
What preposition follows "departure"?
"Departure" is usually followed by "from," as in "departure from the airport" or "a departure from routine." The preposition works for both the travel sense and the change-of-plan sense.
What is the difference between "departure" and "exit"?
"Departure" refers to the act of leaving, especially the start of a journey, while "exit" refers to the way out or the act of going out of a place. You check a flight's departure time, but you leave a building through an exit.
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