dept

IPA/dɪpˈɑːtmənt/
IPA/dᵻpˈɑːɹtmənt/

dept — noun

1. the short written form of the word 'department', used in addresses, emails, sign

1.nounA2
Definition

the short written form of the word 'department', used in addresses, emails, signs, or official documents.

Example

Ramón left a note saying the delivery was in the HR dept office.

noun modifier pattern: dept + noun

Please send your completed form to the accounts dept.

Common collocations
  • HR dept
  • sales dept
  • accounts dept
  • dept office
  • dept head
  • dept store

Grammar Patterns

dept + noun (e.g. dept office)

noun + dept (e.g. Sales Dept)

Usage Note

Always written with a period (dept.) in formal North American English, though the period is often dropped in British English and in informal settings.

Common Mistakes

I work in dept marketing.
I work in the marketing dept.
When using 'dept' as a written abbreviation, the department name usually comes before 'dept' (e.g. Sales Dept, HR Dept).

dept — abbreviation

Word family

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • dept head
  • dept office
  • dept store

Etymology

FrenchEnglish

A shortening of the word 'department', which entered English from French 'département' (meaning a division or a separated part). The abbreviated form 'dept.' has been in use since at least the 19th century in business correspondence and address labels.