Langimage
English

Department

|de-part-ment|

B1

🇺🇸

/dɪˈpɑrtmənt/

🇬🇧

/dɪˈpɑːtmənt/

(department)

distinct part

Base FormPluralAdverb
departmentdepartmentsdepartmentally
Etymology
Etymology Information

'Department' originates from the Old French word 'departement,' which meant 'division' or 'separation.'

Historical Evolution

'Departement' transformed into the Middle English word 'departement,' and eventually became the modern English word 'department.'

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'division' or 'separation,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a distinct part of a larger organization.'

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a distinct part of a larger organization, such as a government, university, or business, dealing with a specific area of activity.

The marketing department is responsible for advertising.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Noun 2

a specialized field of knowledge or expertise.

Physics is not my department.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:42