The highest level of the catalogue hierarchy, giving information about the government department of origin etc. Formerly known as lettercode or group. For example: Ministry of Health, War Office, Treasury.

The generic term for the departments of the Public Service, as listed in the First Schedule of the State Sector Act 1988 (whether their names may be 'Ministry', 'Department', 'Office' or other specific name).

An organisation that is part of the Crown (e.g. Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Department of Labour).

U.S. Department of Justice

Originally, all the tasks assigned to a minister or a civil servant. Department means a ministry, but that of Foreign Affairs is practically the only one in which the word "Department" has remained in current use, and is often used alone.

The highest administrative division of the Federal Government, comparable to a ministry in parliamentary systems. Departments are created by law, and the head of a department is called a secretary (except for the head of the Department of Justice, whose title is Attorney General).

An administrative unit, also referred to as a ministry, dedicated to a specific federal program, service or policy area.