départ

Départ is a French noun that denotes departure, exit, or the act of starting something. It most commonly refers to leaving a place, such as the departure of a train, plane, or ship, but it can also indicate the moment a journey or project begins or the initiation of a process or event.

Etymology and usage: The noun derives from the verb partir, meaning “to depart,” which itself comes from Old French partir and ultimately from a Latin root associated with parting or dividing. In French, départ is often used in transportation contexts (horaires, “L’heure du départ du train”), as well as to describe the outset of a plan, a campaign, or a mission. The prefix de- conveys movement away from a point, reinforcing the sense of leaving or beginning.

Usage examples: Le départ du train est prévu à 9 heures. Au départ, tout le monde était d’accord, mais les plans ont changé. In sports, le départ est donné when a race or competition begins. The word also appears in phrases like “à partir de,” meaning from or starting from, though that construction uses partir in a different form.

Translations and related terms: In English, départ is translated as “departure” or, in a broader sense, “start” or “beginning.” Related terms include arrivée (arrival) and départ volontaire (voluntary departure) in administrative or employment contexts.