department
//dɪˈpɑːtm(ə)nt//
Forms
- Plural
- departments
Definitions
1.A part, portion, or subdivision.
- There is a bookstore in front of the department store.
2.A distinct course of life, action, study, or the like.
- Technical things are not his department; he's a people person.
3.A specified aspect or quality.
- The 2012 Boston Marathon was outstanding in the temperature department; runners endured temperatures of no less than 88 degrees Fahrenheit.
4.A subdivision of an organization.
- There is a bookstore in front of the department store.
Frequency
Overall
Common· #536
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Uncommon
- General reading & writing
- Common
- Academic
- Uncommon
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English departement (“ceasing, end”), from Middle French département.
Later senses borrowed from Modern French département.
Doublet of département.