branch
1 of 2noun
ˈbranch 
often attributive
1
botany : a natural subdivision of a plant stem
especially : a secondary shoot or stem (such as a bough) arising from a main axis (as of a tree)
pruning the tree's lower branches
a swing mounted on a tree branch
2
: something that extends from or enters into a main body or source: such as
a(1)
: a stream that flows into another usually larger stream : tributary
the river's smaller branches
(2)
Southern US and Midland US : creek sense 1
b
: a side road or way
the railroad's branch line
c
: a slender projection (such as the tine of an antler)
the branches of a menorah
d
mathematics : a distinctive part of a mathematical curve (see curve entry 3 sense 1a(2))
e
computers : a part of a computer program executed as a result of a program decision
3
: a part of a complex body: such as
a
: a division of a family descending from a particular ancestor
the Iranian branch of the family
b
: an area of knowledge that may be considered apart from related areas
orthopedics and other branches of medicine
syntax is a branch of linguistics
c(1)
: a division of an organization
a branch of the armed services
the government's legislative and executive branches
(2)
: a separate but dependent part of a central organization
the neighborhood branch of the city library
d
linguistics : a language group less inclusive than a family (see family entry 1 sense 5c)
the Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family
branched
ˈbrancht
adjective branchless
ˈbranch-ləs
adjective branchy
ˈbran-chē
adjective branch
2 of 2verb
branched; branching; branches
intransitive verb
1
botany : to put forth secondary shoots or stems : to put forth branches (see branch entry 1 sense 1) : ramify
an elm branching out over the rooftop
2
: to extend in different directions from a main part or point : to spring out (as from a main stem) : diverge
where the spring branches off from the river
3
: to develop or derive from a source : to be an outgrowth —used with from
poetry that branched from religious prose
4
: to extend activities —usually used with out
the business is branching out into formal wear
5
computers : to follow one of two or more parts of a computer program executed as a result of a program decision : to follow one of two or more branches (see branch entry 1 sense 2e)
transitive verb
1
: to ornament with designs of branches (see branch entry 1 sense 1)
branched velvet
2
: to divide up : section
Synonyms
Noun
- bough
- limb
Verb
- fan (out)
- radiate
- ray
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun birds singing from the branches of a tree The bank has a new branch in our area. She works at the branch office downtown. Verb The stream branches from the river near their house. threads branched from the center of the spider web
Recent Examples on the Web
Claire Parker, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2022 After her death, 93 works were donated in 2016 to the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) in Washington, D.C., which had already established itself as a leading center for this unique and arresting branch of American art. Roger Catlin, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 July 2022 The plan trustees approved allow for a new bank branch with 6,282 sq. Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2022 The chief justice also chairs the Georgia Judicial Council, which makes policy for the judicial branch. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 20 July 2022 The view was almost unobstructed, if not for a low-hanging branch on a 12-foot tree. Andy Kostka, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2022 As an appeals court judge before joining the Supreme Court in 2017, Gorsuch dissented when his colleagues declined to reconsider a ruling that blocked then-Utah Gov. Gary Herbert from cutting off funding for the state branch of Planned Parenthood. The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 June 2022 As an appeals court judge before joining the Supreme Court in 2017, Gorsuch dissented when his colleagues declined to reconsider a ruling that blocked then-Utah Gov. Gary Herbert from cutting off funding for the state branch of Planned Parenthood. CBS News, 25 June 2022 The Reffitts hosted a mixer for the local branch of the militia at their home, with brisket, potato salad, and beer. Andrea Bernstein, The New Yorker, 6 June 2022 Konrad Putzier, WSJ, 13 Sep. 2022 Another chance to branch out to a new experience is the Hiker’s Choice option -- the participant may choose any Medina County Park District trail. Mary Jane Brewer, cleveland, 22 Aug. 2022 And Tannen said the company plans to branch out to other parts of the home, and beyond. Sharon Edelson, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 The pilot began in 2020 and is open to returning volunteers but could branch out to newer recruits in the future. Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2022 For sharp twists and turns, the hose comes with various fittings that allows the hose to branch off at a 90-degree angle. James Fitzgerald, Popular Mechanics, 2 Aug. 2022 As Stokes and Cline appeared to branch off, rumors circulated that Cline was leaving OBX due to the split. Hollee Actman Becker, PEOPLE.com, 1 Aug. 2022 The state Bond Commission on Thursday took less than a minute to unanimously approve $10 million in aid to rejuvenate the Silver Lane and the streets that branch off from it. Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2022 With Omicron currently responsible for almost every new case of COVID-19 recorded worldwide, it is ideally suited to serve as the origin of new mutations that branch off from its genetic lineage. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2022 See More
Noun
Fights have broken out as asylum seekers grow more desperate — and the Red Cross was forced to close its service point for several days, Iris van Deinse, a spokeswoman for the Netherlands branch, said. Claire Parker, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2022 After her death, 93 works were donated in 2016 to the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) in Washington, D.C., which had already established itself as a leading center for this unique and arresting branch of American art. Roger Catlin, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 July 2022 The plan trustees approved allow for a new bank branch with 6,282 sq. Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2022 The chief justice also chairs the Georgia Judicial Council, which makes policy for the judicial branch. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 20 July 2022 The view was almost unobstructed, if not for a low-hanging branch on a 12-foot tree. Andy Kostka, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2022 As an appeals court judge before joining the Supreme Court in 2017, Gorsuch dissented when his colleagues declined to reconsider a ruling that blocked then-Utah Gov. Gary Herbert from cutting off funding for the state branch of Planned Parenthood. The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 June 2022 As an appeals court judge before joining the Supreme Court in 2017, Gorsuch dissented when his colleagues declined to reconsider a ruling that blocked then-Utah Gov. Gary Herbert from cutting off funding for the state branch of Planned Parenthood. CBS News, 25 June 2022 The Reffitts hosted a mixer for the local branch of the militia at their home, with brisket, potato salad, and beer. Andrea Bernstein, The New Yorker, 6 June 2022 Verb
Sentral manages are owned by Iconiq, Sentral’s majority investor, but the company plans to branch out to other landlords. Konrad Putzier, WSJ, 13 Sep. 2022 Another chance to branch out to a new experience is the Hiker’s Choice option -- the participant may choose any Medina County Park District trail. Mary Jane Brewer, cleveland, 22 Aug. 2022 And Tannen said the company plans to branch out to other parts of the home, and beyond. Sharon Edelson, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 The pilot began in 2020 and is open to returning volunteers but could branch out to newer recruits in the future. Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2022 For sharp twists and turns, the hose comes with various fittings that allows the hose to branch off at a 90-degree angle. James Fitzgerald, Popular Mechanics, 2 Aug. 2022 As Stokes and Cline appeared to branch off, rumors circulated that Cline was leaving OBX due to the split. Hollee Actman Becker, PEOPLE.com, 1 Aug. 2022 The state Bond Commission on Thursday took less than a minute to unanimously approve $10 million in aid to rejuvenate the Silver Lane and the streets that branch off from it. Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2022 With Omicron currently responsible for almost every new case of COVID-19 recorded worldwide, it is ideally suited to serve as the origin of new mutations that branch off from its genetic lineage. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English, from Anglo-French branche, from Late Latin branca paw
First Known Use
Noun
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Phrases Containing branch
Kids Definition
branch 1 of 2
noun
ˈbranch
1
: a part of a tree that grows out from the trunk or from a main division of the trunk
2
: something extending from a main line or body like a branch
a branch of a railroad
3
: a division or subordinate part of something
a branch of government
The bank opened a new branch.
branch
2 of 2verb
branched; branching
: to spread or divide into smaller or attached parts : send out a branch
It was a long corridor and it branched into other corridors … Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden
Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden Medical Definition
branch
noun
ˈbranch
1
: something that extends from or enters into a main body or source
a branch of an artery
2
: an area of knowledge that may be considered apart from related areas
pathology is a branch of medicine
Legal Definition
branch
noun
: a part of a complex body: as
a
: one of the three main divisions of the U.S. or a state government see also executive, judiciary, legislature
b
: a division of a business or organization
an insurer's branch office
see also branch bank at bank branch 1 of 2
noun
1
as in limb
a major outgrowth from the main stem of a woody plant I loved climbing among the branches of that old tree Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- limb
- twig
- bough
- branchlet
- offshoot
- shoot
- spur
- sprig
- outgrowth
- spray
2
as in affiliate
a local unit of an organization a bank with many neighborhood branches Synonyms & Similar Words
- affiliate
- cell
- chapter
- local
- council
- wing
- division
- arm
- offshoot
- lodge
- post
- subchapter
3
as in tributary
a stream that flows into a larger body of water the Blue Nile, the Atbara, and the White Nile are the three primary branches of the Nile River Synonyms & Similar Words
- tributary
- feeder
- bayou
- affluent
- confluent
- headwater
- source
- creek
- backwater
- brook
- influent
- rivulet
- run
- head
- rill
- streamlet
- fountainhead
- headstream
- brooklet
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- effluent
- distributary
4
as in department
a large unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization the two branches of the U.S. Congress Synonyms & Similar Words
- department
- agency
- office
- bureau
- service
- division
- desk
- arm
- subdivision
- subdepartment
branch
2 of 2verb
as in to stem
to extend outwards from or as if from a central point threads branched from the center of the spider web Synonyms & Similar Words
- stem
- radiate
- ray
- flow
- diverge
- fork
- derive
- emanate
- fan (out)
- split
- part
- ramify
- diffuse
- separate
- proceed
- splay
- divide
- dispel
- spring
- arise
- disperse
- spread
- issue
- scatter
- unlink
- uncouple
- dissipate
- unyoke
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- focus
- meet
- approach
- concentrate
- converge
- near
- funnel
- join
- connect
- couple
- link
- centralize
- unite
- center (on)
- close in (on)