a distinct part of anything arranged in divisions; a division of a complex whole or organized system.
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.
Origin: 1730–35; < F département, equiv. to départ(ir) (see depart) + -ment-ment
A distinct, usually specialized division of a large organization, especially:
A principal administrative division of a government: the department of public works.
A division of a business specializing in a particular product or service: the personnel department.
A division of a school or college dealing with a particular field of knowledge: the physics department.
Department One of the principal executive divisions of the federal government of the United States, headed by a cabinet officer.
A section of a department store selling a particular line of merchandise: the home furnishings department.
An administrative district in France.
A unit of a warship's crew, organized by function, such as gunnery or engineering.
An area of particular knowledge or responsibility; a specialty: Getting the kids to bed is my department.
[French département, from Old French, separation, from departir, to divide; see depart.] de'part·men'tal (dē'pärt-měn'tl) adj., de'part·men'tal·ly adv.
[di-pahrt-muh
nt] 