# dept

CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dept
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

a short way of writing the word 'department'. You see this in addresses, on office doors, or in business documents.

For teachers: a standard abbreviation for 'department'. Used primarily in written correspondence, organizational charts, and signage to denote a specific division of a business or government.

## Examples

- Please send the files to the HR dept.
- The accounting dept is located on the third floor of the main building.
- While formal reports usually spell out the full name, internal memos often use the 'dept' abbreviation to save space in headers and distribution lists.

## Usage notes

- Always written with a lowercase or capital 'D' depending on whether it is part of a proper name; often followed by a period in American English (dept.).

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.