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department

n.
US //dɪˈpɑɹtmənt// UK //dɪpˈɑːtmənt// de·part·ment
  1. 1 business or organization unit (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    one of the sections in a large company, shop, or organization.

    a specialized division within a business, retail establishment, or organization that handles a specific task or product line.

    Example

    If you have a problem with your bill, please call the accounting department.

    Example

    The marketing department is collaborating closely with the product designers to ensure the new campaign aligns with the brand's updated aesthetic.
  2. 2 academic branch (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Academic

    a division in a university or college that teaches a specific subject.

    an administrative unit within a university or college dedicated to a specific field of study or research.

    Example

    She is a professor in the history department at the local university.

    Example

    The physics department recently secured a significant grant to upgrade its laboratory facilities for quantum research.
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  1. 3 government branch (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a large part of a government that deals with one area of public life.

    a major administrative division of a national or regional government.

    Example

    The Department of Education announced new rules for student loans today.

    Example

    The Department of Justice launched an investigation into the merger to determine if it violated any antitrust regulations.
  2. 4 administrative district (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a specific area or district of a country used for local government, especially in France.

    a territorial administrative division of a country, most notably the 'département' in the French administrative system.

    Example

    We spent our summer holiday traveling through the different departments of southern France.

    Example

    Each French department is headed by a prefect who represents the central government at the local level.
  3. 5 area of expertise (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    a person's special area of knowledge or responsibility.

    an informal reference to an individual's particular sphere of activity, expertise, or responsibility.

    Example

    I can help you with the writing, but fixing the computer is my brother's department.

    Example

    While I can offer advice on the overall strategy, the technical implementation is very much Sarah's department.
Origin

From Middle English departement (“ceasing, end”), from Middle French département. Later senses borrowed from Modern French département. Doublet of département.

Word family

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