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Definitions

department

[dih-pahrt-muhnt] / dɪˈpɑrt mənt /
NOUN
section of organization, area
Synonyms
STRONGEST
administration agency area board branch bureau commission division office staff station unit
STRONG
arena beat canton circuit commune constituency force parish precinct quarter range subdivision territory tract ward
Antonyms
STRONGEST
whole
NOUN
area of interest, expertise
Synonyms
STRONGEST
administration bureau business office province station
STRONG
activity assignment avocation bailiwick berth capacity class classification domain dominion duty field function incumbency jurisdiction line niche occupation realm responsibility slot specialty sphere spot vocation wing
WEAK
walk of life
Antonyms
STRONG
entertainment fun irresponsibility pastime

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ben Rhodes-Kropf grew up dreaming of a spot at MIT, where his father, Matt Rhodes-Kropf is a professor in the finance department.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Other assets include stakes in LIV Golf, U.K. department store chain Selfridges and Uber.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

The agency has faced criticism locally for years for lack of proper oversight and the county is in the process of transitioning programs to an internal department.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Get thee to a department store for some soft furnishings.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

The government’s Civil Defense department printed millions of posters and pamphlets, urging every American to prepare for the worst.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.