branch

¹branch

noun, often attributive \ˈbranch\

Definition of BRANCH

1

: a natural subdivision of a plant stem; especially : a secondary shoot or stem (as a bough) arising from a main axis (as of a tree)

2

: something that extends from or enters into a main body or source: as a (1) : a stream that flows into another usually larger stream : tributary (2) Southern & Midland : creek 2 b : a side road or way c : a slender projection (as the tine of an antler) d : a distinctive part of a mathematical curve e : a part of a computer program executed as a result of a program decision

3

: a part of a complex body: as a : a division of a family descending from a particular ancestor b : an area of knowledge that may be considered apart from related areas <pathology is a branch of medicine> c (1) : a division of an organization (2) : a separate but dependent part of a central organization <the neighborhood branch of the city library> d : a language group less inclusive than a family <the Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family>

— branched \ˈbrancht\ adjective

— branch·less \ˈbranch-ləs\ adjective

— branchy \ˈbran-chē\ adjective

Examples of BRANCH

1. birds singing from the branches of a tree
2. The bank has a new branch in our area.
3. She works at the branch office downtown.

Origin of BRANCH

Middle English, from Anglo-French branche, from Late Latin branca paw

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to BRANCH

Synonyms: bough, limb

Antonyms: distributary, effluent

Related Words: branchlet, offshoot, outgrowth, shoot, spur; spray, sprig, twig

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Botany Terms

annual, burgeon, chloroplast, nomenclature, succulent, sylvan, xylem

Rhymes with BRANCH

blanch, ranch, stanch