German word

Departement

Pronunciation

IPA/depaʁtəˈmɑ̃ː/

Meaning

  • neuter noundepartment

Example

Die Departements der Kantone haben verschiedene Aufgaben.

The cantonal departments perform various duties.

Illustration for Departement (department)

More examples

Das Budget des Departements wurde reduziert.

The department's budget was reduced.

Core concept

One policy area inside a Swiss canton administration, pictured as a government office with its responsible head.

Common phrases

  • Personal des Departements

    department staff

  • Budget des Departements

    department budget

  • Departement der Justiz

    Department of Justice

Similar words

Ministerium: A central government ministry led by a cabinet minister.
Amt: A public office or agency that provides administrative services to citizens.
Abteilung: A subdivision handling a specific set of tasks within an organization.
Ressort: A specific policy area assigned to a government or ministry.

Definition in German

Departement ist in der Schweiz die Bezeichnung für ein kantonales Ministerium oder dessen Leitung.

Word origin

The German noun is borrowed from French département, whose history goes back through départir to Latin departire, 'divide'.

Usage tips

  • In Swiss administrative contexts, Departement often corresponds to English 'ministry', whereas German usage more commonly uses Ministerium for this institution.

Other meanings

  • ministrynoun

Opposites

  • Privatunternehmenprivate companynoun

Related words

  • Departementsbudgetdepartment budgetnoun
  • Departementschefdepartment headnoun

Word lists with this word