department store

noun

1. a large retail store carrying a wide variety of merchandise and organized into various departments for sales and administrative purposes.

department store

noun

1. a large shop divided into departments selling a great many kinds of goods

Word History and Origins

Origin of department store¹

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

Example Sentences

Swiftly tiring of life in the military, he found a job as a window dresser at La Rinascente - a department store in Milan - where he moved swiftly through the ranks.

From BBC

He said he hopes the partnering with the iconic brand will bring new customers through the department store's doors, and believes people will be queueing to get in when range is launched.

From BBC

She worked on window displays and murals for department store Lord & Taylor and did fashion illustrations for Condé Nast.

From Los Angeles Times

Home Depot plans to demolish the former Macy’s department store in Eagle Rock Plaza to make space for its new location, The Eastsider reported.

From Los Angeles Times

"They brought in second hand clothes for example, that's normal now, but back then it was seen as absolutely radical to have a shopping department store doing that," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

• chain store 
• discount store 
• shop 
• store