Definition

1. Noun:
   • A major administrative division of a national or state government: A "government department" is a distinct, permanent organization within the executive branch of a government, responsible for a specific area of public policy and administration, such as finance, health, or defense. It is typically headed by a minister or secretary.

Usage

• A "government department" is a formal, official term used to refer to the primary units of government bureaucracy. It is often capitalized when referring to a specific department by its full name (e.g., the Department of Education).
• It functions as a singular countable noun.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The new policy was announced by the relevant government department.
  • She works for a government department that handles environmental protection.
  • The Department of Transportation is a key government department.

Advanced Usage

• "to head a government department": to be the political or administrative leader of a department.
  • The Prime Minister appointed her to head the government department of justice.
• "across government departments": involving or affecting multiple different administrative divisions.
  • The initiative requires cooperation across government departments.

Variants and Related Words

• Department (n): While "department" can refer to divisions in companies or universities, "government department" specifies its public administrative context.
• Ministry (n): In many countries (e.g., the UK), "Ministry" is synonymous with "government department" (e.g., Ministry of Defence).
• Agency (n): Often a smaller or more specialized administrative unit than a full department; some agencies operate under a larger department.
• Bureau (n): Another term for a government office or department, common in some historical or specific contexts (e.g., the Federal Bureau of Investigation).

Synonyms

• Ministry (chiefly British and Commonwealth usage)
• Office (as in the "Office of Management and Budget")
• Administration (in some contexts, e.g., "Food and Drug Administration")

Related Phrases

• Government body: A broader term that can include departments, agencies, commissions, and other public institutions.
• Executive agency: A type of government body that carries out government policies and services, often under the auspices of a department.

Noun

1. a department of government