<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>A distinct part of anything arranged in divisions; a division of a complex whole or organized system.</li><li>One of the principal branches of a governmental organization: the sanitation department.</li><li>(initial capital letter) One of the principal divisions of the U.S. federal government, headed by a secretary who is a member of the president's cabinet.</li><li>A division of a business enterprise dealing with a particular area of activity: the personnel department.</li><li>A section of a retail store selling a particular class or kind of goods: the sportswear department.</li><li>One of the sections of a school or college dealing with a particular field of knowledge: the English department.</li><li>One of the large districts into which certain countries, as France, are divided for administrative purposes.</li><li>A division of official business, duties, or functions: judicial departments.</li><li>A sphere or province of activity, knowledge, or responsibility: Paying the bills is not my department.</li><li>(usually initial capital letter) U.S. Army. (formerly) A large geographical division of the U.S. or its possessions as divided for military and defense purposes: the Hawaiian Department.</li></ul>