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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Department Definition, Examples & How to Use It (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：organizational section (department)

department 🔊

/dɪˈpɑːrtmənt/

A specific section of a large organization, like a business or hospital, that handles a particular type of work.

Department signs in office showing Marketing Finance HR sections

organizational section 🔊

➕

/ˌɔːrɡənaɪˈzeɪʃənəl ˈsɛkʃən/

A specific part of a company, institution, or government that is responsible for a particular area of work.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'departire' (to divide), from 'de-' (away) + 'partire' (to part).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'de-part-ment' = 'divide into parts'. A department is a part of a whole organization.

📖 Example

If you have a problem with your bill, you'll need to speak to someone in the customer service department. 🔊 If you have a problem with your bill, you'll need to speak to someone in the customer service department.

🔗 Collocations

sales department – A department focused on selling products or services.

human resources department – The department that handles employee recruitment, benefits, and relations.

customer service department – The department responsible for handling customer inquiries and complaints.

🔄 Synonyms

division (n.) – A separate part of a large organization, often larger than a department.

section (n.) – A distinct part or subdivision of something, often within a department.

branch (n.) – A division or office of a large organization, often located in a different place.

🌱 Derivatives

departmental (adj.) – Relating to a department.

departmentally (adv.) – In a way that relates to a department.

departmentalize (v.) – To divide into departments.

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'department' comes from Old French 'departement' meaning 'division'. It became standard for administrative units in organizations, governments, and universities.

Meaning 2：academic division (department)

department 🔊

/dɪˈpɑːrtmənt/

A section of a university or college where a specific subject is taught and studied.

Department of Literature brass plaque on university door

academic division 🔊

➕

/ˌækəˈdɛmɪk dɪˈvɪʒən/

A specialized unit within a college or university that focuses on a particular field of study.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

I've decided to major in the History Department at the University of Cambridge. 🔊 I've decided to major in the History Department at the University of Cambridge.

🔗 Collocations

history department – The academic unit responsible for the study and teaching of history.

physics department – The academic unit responsible for the study and teaching of physics.

department chair – The professor who serves as the head of an academic department.

🔄 Synonyms

faculty (n.) – A division within a university comprising a group of related departments.

school (n.) – A division within a university for a broad subject area, sometimes equivalent to a department.

section (n.) – A subdivision within a department, often for a specific course or research area.

🌱 Derivatives

departmental (adj.) – Relating to a department.

departmentally (adv.) – In a way that relates to a department.

departmentalize (v.) – To divide into departments.