A part of a larger organization, such as a school, business, or government, that focuses on a particular area of work or study. Informally, it can mean a special area of skill or responsibility.
From French *département* meaning 'division, section', from *départir* ('to divide'). It originally referred to a division of government or territory.
A department is like an organ in a big body—each has its own job, but none can function well alone. The word also sneaks into everyday talk, as in 'That’s not my department', to gently refuse responsibility.
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