department store

USAGE SUMMARY

"department store" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase 'department store' to refer to a large store that sells a wide variety of goods and services. For example, "My family often goes to the department store to buy groceries, clothes, and other items."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A department store?

The New York Times

"It's not a department store.

The New York Times - Arts

He founds Entwhistle's department store.

The New Yorker

500 department store index.

The New York Times

And who remembers the department store today?

The New Yorker

founder of Selfridges department store in London.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As has the department store Macy's.

Independent

May's department store was still operating.

The New York Times

Harrods, renowned department store in London.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The big department store is Entwhistle's.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

And department-store shopping is back.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing very modern or online retail contexts, consider whether the term "department store" still accurately reflects the shopping experience. Alternatives like "online marketplace" or "e-commerce platform" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "department store" to describe smaller, specialized boutiques or stores that focus on a single product category. This term is best suited for retailers with diverse product offerings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "department store" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig shows its use in diverse contexts, from news articles to encyclopedic entries, describing retail establishments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "department store" is a very common noun phrase referring to a large retail establishment offering a variety of products. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage in diverse sources like news articles, encyclopedias, and wikis. While generally neutral in tone, "department store" appears most frequently in News & Media. When writing, consider the context to ensure the term accurately reflects the retail model. For more modern contexts, alternatives like "online marketplace" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

major department store

Adds emphasis on the size or significance of the department store.

multi-department retailer

Highlights the presence of multiple departments within the store.

large retail store

Uses simpler and more general terms to describe the same type of store.

general merchandise store

Replaces "department" with "general merchandise", focusing on the variety of goods.

retail emporium

Replaces "department store" with a more formal and grand term for a large retail outlet.

upscale department store

Specifies the department store as being of higher quality and price range.

shopping center anchor

Describes the role of a department store as a primary attraction in a shopping center.

high-end retailer

Focuses on the retail aspect and implies a luxury or premium product offering.

flagship store

Describes a primary or most important store in a chain, usually a department store.

big box retailer

Offers a more contemporary and broad description of large retail stores, similar to department stores.

FAQs

How to use "department store" in a sentence?

You can use "department store" to describe a large retail establishment that offers a wide variety of products. For example, "I went to the "department store" to buy clothes and shoes."

What can I say instead of "department store"?

You can use alternatives like "retail emporium", "large retail store", or "general merchandise store depending on the context.

Which is correct, "department store" or "department's store"?

"Department store" is correct. "Department's store" implies that the store belongs to a department, which is not the intended meaning. "Department store" correctly refers to a store with many departments.

What's the difference between a "department store" and a "shopping mall"?

A ""department store"" is a single large retail store with many departments. A "shopping mall" is a collection of various independent stores and businesses under one roof.