A 'department' is a part of a larger organization with a specific responsibility. For the division of organizations into departments, see
departmentalization.
In particular:
★ A
government department in
Australia,
Canada,
Switzerland and the
United States, corresponds to a
ministry in other systems:
★
★
Department (Australian government)
★
★
Department (Swiss government)
★
★
Department (US government)
★
Department (country subdivision)- a geographical and administrative division within a country.
★ Part of an institution such as a commercial
company (see
departmentalization) or a non-profit organization such as a
university.
★
★
Academic department
★ A
department store is a retail store that includes many specialized departments such as clothing or household items.
★ Part of a state or municipal government:
★
★
Fire department
★
★
Police department
★ In the US military:
★
★ "
Department" is a term used by the
U.S. Army, mostly prior to
World War I.
★
★ A
naval Department is a section devoted to one of several major tasks.