department of agriculture
C1Formal, Official
Definition
Meaning
A major government agency responsible for the development and execution of laws and policies related to farming, forestry, rural development, and food.
A specific bureaucratic division within a national or subnational government that oversees agricultural affairs, food safety, conservation, and rural communities. The term can also refer to similar departments in state/provincial or local governments, or analogous ministries in other countries.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Always capitalized when referring to a specific, named government body (e.g., the U.S. Department of Agriculture). It functions as a proper noun in that context. It can be used generically (e.g., "a department of agriculture") to refer to the concept.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the equivalent national body is the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The term "Department of Agriculture" is more commonly associated with the United States (USDA), Ireland, Australia, and other countries. In the UK, it might be used historically or in reference to devolved administrations (e.g., the Scottish Government's Rural and Environment Directorate).
Connotations
In American English, it strongly connotes the large federal agency (USDA) with a wide range of programs. In British English, it sounds more like a generic or foreign governmental descriptor.
Frequency
Much higher frequency in American English due to the prominence of the USDA. Lower frequency in contemporary British English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[The/Our] Department of Agriculture + [verb: issued, announced, regulates, oversees, funds] + [object]The + [name of country/state] + Department of Agriculture + [predicate]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As useful as a screen door on a submarine (colloquial critique of bureaucracy, sometimes applied to agencies like the Department of Agriculture)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Farmers must comply with the latest Department of Agriculture export standards.
Academic
The study analyzed the policy impact of the Department of Agriculture's subsidy programs from 1990-2010.
Everyday
If you have questions about food safety labels, you can check the Department of Agriculture's website.
Technical
The pathogen was reported to the state Department of Agriculture's Plant Industry Division for quarantine measures.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- DEFRA-approved standards
- The Scottish agricultural directorate's report
American English
- USDA-certified organic
- a Department of Agriculture grant
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The Department of Agriculture helps farmers.
- You can find healthy eating tips on the Department of Agriculture website.
- The state's Department of Agriculture issued a warning about a new plant disease.
- Critics argue that the Department of Agriculture's subsidy system disproportionately benefits large agribusinesses over small family farms.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: The DEPARTment decides which MENT (from Latin 'mind') is in charge of AGRIculture.
Conceptual Metaphor
GOVERNMENT IS A PARENT (The Department of Agriculture nurtures, regulates, and provides for the agricultural sector).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly as "департамент сельского хозяйства" for the US body, as "министерство сельского хозяйства" (Ministry of Agriculture) is the more standard equivalent for a major national body. "Департамент" in Russian often implies a subdivision within a larger ministry.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: He works for the department of agriculture. (Should be capitalized when it's the official name: He works for the Department of Agriculture.)
- Incorrect: The Department of Agricultures new policy... (No possessive 's' usually used with 'of' constructions).
Practice
Quiz
In which country is 'Department of Agriculture' most commonly associated with a major federal agency?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in the United States, the United States Department of Agriculture is commonly abbreviated as USDA. They are the same entity.
The closest equivalent in the United Kingdom is the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Most U.S. states have a state-level Department of Agriculture, or a similarly named agency (e.g., Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services), responsible for state-specific regulations and programs.
Yes, when not referring to a specific named body, it can be used generically and lowercase (e.g., 'Every country needs a well-functioning department of agriculture').