noun

department

dih-PART-munt/dɪˈpɑːrtmənt/

A distinct division responsible for a particular function.

A pharmacist sorts medicine behind the counter in the hospital's pharmacy department.

Small hospital pharmacy division with pharmacist sorting medicine separately behind counter while other care area visible beyond; no labels or text.

Etymology

deLatinfrom

+partLatinto part, divide

+mentOld Frenchaction or result

The underlying idea is division or sharing out. Through the sense “group of people,” department came to name a distinct branch of a larger organization with its own assigned business.

In context

Posh Painter15:02

the officer responsible for the deck department or division depending on a ship's size on smaller vessels with a single deck division

Every Rank in the US Navy Explained in 24 Minutes

More examples

Our accounting department handles payroll and pays the bills.
The city's health department inspects local restaurants.
Several university departments share this building.
Cooking isn't my department, but I can wash the dishes.

Forms

department · departments

departmental adjective — Relating to a division within an organization.

Similar words

division: Often names a larger organizational section containing several departments.
branch: Often emphasizes a separate location or offshoot of an organization.
unit: Can name a smaller team organized for a specific task.