department
A specialized division or branch within a larger organization, such as a government, business, or university, that focuses on a specific area of work or study. It is used to organize complex systems into manageable units based on function or expertise.
Examples
3 of 5I need to go to the customer service department to return this faulty item.
I need to go to the customer service department to return this faulty item.
The Department of Justice has initiated an investigation into the matter.
The Department of Justice has initiated an investigation into the matter.
Check with the tech department; they usually have extra cables lying around.
Check with the tech department; they usually have extra cables lying around.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'part' inside 'de-part-ment'. A department is just one 'part' of a much larger whole.
Quick Quiz
If you have a problem with your salary, you should contact the Human Resources ___.
Correct!
The correct answer is: department
Examples
I need to go to the customer service department to return this faulty item.
everydayI need to go to the customer service department to return this faulty item.
The Department of Justice has initiated an investigation into the matter.
formalThe Department of Justice has initiated an investigation into the matter.
Check with the tech department; they usually have extra cables lying around.
informalCheck with the tech department; they usually have extra cables lying around.
The biology department has received a significant grant for climate change research.
academicThe biology department has received a significant grant for climate change research.
We are restructuring the marketing department to better align with our digital goals.
businessWe are restructuring the marketing department to better align with our digital goals.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
head of department
head of department
in the department of
in the department of
fire department
fire department
Often Confused With
An apartment is a living space or flat, while a department is a division of an organization.
A compartment is a physical storage space (like in a bag), whereas a department is an administrative division.
Usage Notes
Use 'department' when referring to functional groups within a company or university, and use 'the Department of...' for specific government ministries in many English-speaking countries.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse the spelling with 'apartment' or forget that 'department' is a countable noun requiring an article or plural form.
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'part' inside 'de-part-ment'. A department is just one 'part' of a much larger whole.
Word Origin
From the Old French word 'departement', which means a division or distribution of something.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In the United States, major cabinet-level executive agencies are called 'Departments' (e.g., Department of State, Department of Defense).
Quick Quiz
If you have a problem with your salary, you should contact the Human Resources ___.
Correct!
The correct answer is: department
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
An office is a room, set of rooms, or a building where peopl...
hierarchyA hierarchy is a system where people or things are organized...
bureauA bureau is an office or department that provides a specific...
facultyA faculty refers to the teaching and administrative staff of...
ministryA government department led by a minister that manages a spe...
Related Words
proceed
C1The noun form, typically used in the plural 'proceeds,' refers to the total amount of money received from a particular event, sale, or activity. It is a formal term used in academic, legal, and business contexts to describe the result of a financial transaction or fundraising effort.
individual
C1Relating to a single person or thing as distinct from a group. It describes something that is intended for, or used by, one person rather than a collective entity.
appropriately
B2To perform an action in a manner that is suitable, right, or proper for a particular situation, person, or occasion. It implies following specific social norms, professional standards, or logical requirements.
region
B2A region is an area of land that has common features, such as geography, climate, or culture, which distinguish it from other areas. It can refer to a large part of a country or the world and is often used in administrative or scientific contexts to organize space.
resource
B2A stock or supply of money, materials, staff, and other assets that can be drawn on by a person or organization in order to function effectively. In academic and informational contexts, it refers to a source of information or expertise used to support research or learning.
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
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