Department Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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department
[dษชหpษหrtmษnt ]
Definitions
workplace
A distinct part of a larger organization, such as a government or business, that deals with a specific function or area of activity.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| department |
Useful in a formal business or governmental context to describe a major functional unit within an organization.
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| division |
Appropriate for larger organizations to describe a significant and often independent operational unit, usually involved in a broad function. It can sometimes imply higher autonomy than 'department'.
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| section |
Best used for indicating a smaller, often more specialized part of a department or division within an organization.
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| branch |
Suitable for describing a local office or a smaller, semi-independent part of a larger organization, often geographically distant from the main office.
|
Examples of usage
- She works in the marketing department.
- The HR department is responsible for hiring new employees.
education
A specialized division of a large institution, such as a university, that offers instruction in a particular field of study.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| department |
A specific and specialized division within a larger organization, often used in the context of businesses, hospitals, or universities.
|
| faculty |
Refers to all the teachers and professors at an educational institution, or a division within a university that groups together related academic departments.
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| school |
Can refer broadly to any educational institution or specifically to a division within a college or university that focuses on a major field of study.
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| college |
An institution of higher education that offers undergraduate programs, and sometimes graduate programs. It can also refer to a division within a university that focuses on a particular field of study.
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Examples of usage
- The department of biology offers a wide range of courses.
- She is a professor in the psychology department.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Business
- Most modern organizations have departments such as Human Resources, Sales, and Marketing to streamline operations.
- The concept of departmentalization in business helps in specializing tasks and improving efficiency.
- Trends have led to more cross-department collaboration, reflecting a shift towards teamwork in workplaces.
Education
- In schools and universities, departments refer to specific areas like Mathematics, Science, and History.
- Each academic department typically has its own faculty, preparing students in specialized subjects.
- Departmental structure allows for targeted curriculum development and resource allocation.
Government
- Government departments manage public services and enforce laws; common examples include Health, Education, and Transportation.
- Departmental functions ensure that services are organized and enacted effectively for the community.
- In many countries, departments are led by ministers who oversee specific areas of public policy.
Culture
- Department stores revolutionized retail in the 19th century, offering a wide range of products under one roof.
- In popular culture, the notion of a 'workplace department' is often portrayed in films and shows, highlighting office dynamics.
- The psychological concept of 'departmentalization' can also apply to personal identity, where individuals categorize various aspects of their lives.
Origin of 'department'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'department' comes from the Latin 'departire,' meaning to divide or separate.
- It evolved through Middle French before entering English in the late 15th century.
- Historically, it denoted a distinct division within a larger entity, such as a kingdom or a company.
The word 'department' originated from the French word 'dรฉpartement' in the early 18th century. It was initially used to refer to a separate division or branch within a larger organization. Over time, the term became widely adopted in English-speaking countries to describe specialized units within institutions or businesses.
See also: depart, departed, departing, departments, departure.