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departure
/dɪˈpɑːrtʃər/
act of leaving
Her departure was delayed due to bad weather.
She couldn't leave on time because the weather was bad.
neutral
the act of leaving a place, especially at the start of a journey
The train's departure time is 8:00 AM.
The train leaves at 8:00 AM.
We arrived just before the departure of the last bus.
We got there just before the last bus left.
Often used in travel contexts (e.g., airports, train stations). Can also describe a shift in direction or purpose, as in 'a departure from tradition.'
formal
a deviation from a standard or expected course
His speech marked a departure from the party's usual rhetoric.
He spoke in a way that was very different from what the party normally says.
Common in discussions about change or innovation.
Collocations
departure loungewaiting area at an airportpoint of departurestarting point or originscheduled departureplanned time of leaving
Synonyms
Pro Tip
Distinguish 'departure' from 'depart'
'Depart' is a verb (e.g., 'The train departs at 9 AM'), while 'departure' is the noun form (e.g., 'The departure was delayed').
Gold Rule
Use 'departure' for formal or travel contexts
Prefer 'departure' in official announcements, schedules, or when discussing travel plans. For casual speech, 'leaving' or 'exit' may be more common.
Word Origin
From Middle English departuren, from Old French departir (to divide, depart), from Late Latin departire (to divide), from de- (away) + partire (to divide).
Usage Notes
Used for both literal (travel) and figurative (change in direction) meanings. In formal writing, 'departure from' is a common phrase to indicate a deviation.
Word Breakdown
de-
away, off
prefix-part-
to divide, separate
root-ure
act or condition of
suffixEnglish Dictionary