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

Other Botany Terms

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

Rhymes with BRANCH

blanch, ranch, stanch

²branch

verb

Definition of BRANCH

intransitive verb

1

: to put forth branches : ramify

2

: to spring out (as from a main stem) : diverge

3

: 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>

5

: to follow one of two or more branches (as in a computer program)

transitive verb

1

: to ornament with designs of branches

2

: to divide up : section

Examples of BRANCH

1. The stream branches from the river near their house.
2. <threads branched from the center of the spider web>

First Known Use of BRANCH

14th century

Related to BRANCH

Synonyms

radiate, fan (out), ray

Antonyms

concentrate, converge, focus, funnel, meet

Related Words

diffuse, dispel, disperse, dissipate; fork, stem; diverge, divide, part, ramify, separate, split, uncouple, unlink, unyoke; scatter, splay, spread; arise, derive, emanate, flow, issue, proceed, spring

Near Antonyms

approach, close in (on), near; center (on), centralize; connect, couple, join, link, unite

branch

noun \ˈbranch\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of BRANCH

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>

—branch intransitive verb

—branched \ˈbrancht\ (audio pronunciation) adjective