Departure

/dɪˈpɑːrtʃər/

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonAction
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

The act of leaving a place or the start of a journey.

/dɪˈpɑːrtʃər/

nounneutralBeginner
Action

The act of leaving or going away.

The scheduled departure time for the train is 9:00 AM.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're going on a trip or saying goodbye. Departure is when you actually leave! Like when your train *departs* the station.

👶 For kids: Leaving! Like when a train or plane leaves to go somewhere.

More Examples

2

We were sad about her departure, but we understood she needed to move for work.

3

The captain announced the imminent departure of the cruise ship.

How It's Used

Travel

"The departure of the flight was delayed due to weather."

Business

"The CEO announced his departure from the company."

2

A change or variation, especially from a set standard or plan.

/dɪˈpɑːrtʃər/

nounneutralIntermediate
Change

A deviation or divergence from a usual course or plan.

The new policy was a significant departure from the company's previous practices.

💡 Simply: Sometimes, things don't go as planned! *Departure* can also be a way of doing something differently than usual. Like if your friend suddenly decides to wear a crazy outfit – it’s a *departure* from what they usually wear.

👶 For kids: Doing something differently than you usually do it.

More Examples

2

His unusual methods were a departure from the established norms of the scientific community.

3

The film's narrative was a departure from the director's typical style.

How It's Used

Art

"The artist's new work was a departure from his previous style."

Business

"The company's new strategy represents a departure from its traditional approach."

Tip:Think of departing from the norm.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

point of departure

The starting point or basis for a discussion or argument.

"Our current understanding is the point of departure for future research."

From Old French *departir* 'to divide, separate,' from Latin *dis-* 'apart' + *partire* 'to divide.' It originally referred to a separation, a going away.

The word 'departure' has been used since the 14th century, evolving from the act of separating or going away, often linked to travel or transitions in life.

Memory tip

Think of a ship's departure from the harbor.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"Separation, division, a going away."

scheduled departuretime of departuredeparture timesad departuresudden departureofficial departuredeparture from traditionpoint of departure

Common misspellings

depaturedepartur

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written