Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • The United States federal department that promotes and administers domestic and foreign trade: The Commerce Department is a cabinet-level department of the U.S. government responsible for fostering economic growth, promoting international trade, and administering various programs related to commerce, industry, and technology. Its functions include managing the census and the patent office. It was created in 1913.

Usage

• The term "Commerce Department" is a proper noun and is always capitalized. It refers specifically to the United States Department of Commerce. It is often used in news, political, and economic contexts.
• Example: "The Commerce Department released new trade data today."
• Example: "She works for the Commerce Department."

Advanced Usage

• "The Department of Commerce": This is the full, formal name and is synonymous with "the Commerce Department."
  • Example: "The Secretary of the Department of Commerce gave a speech."
• "Commerce Dept.": A common written abbreviation.
  • Example: "The report was filed with the Commerce Dept."

Variants and Related Words

• Department of Commerce: The full official name.
• Secretary of Commerce: The title of the head of the Commerce Department.
• Commercial: (Adjective) Related to or engaged in commerce or business.
• Commerce: (Noun) The activity of buying and selling, especially on a large scale.

Synonyms

• U.S. Department of Commerce: The official synonym.
• DoC: An initialism sometimes used in technical or governmental writing.

Notes

• The Commerce Department is a specific entity within the U.S. government. When used without "U.S.," context usually makes it clear it refers to the American department. Other countries have similar departments with different names (e.g., the Department for Business and Trade in the UK).

Noun

1. the United States federal department that promotes and administers domestic and foreign trade (including management of the census and the patent office); created in 1913