bifurcation

noun

bi·​fur·​ca·​tion ˌbī-(ˌ)fər-ˈkā-shən 

1

a

: the point or area at which something divides into two branches or parts : the point at which bifurcating occurs

Inflammation may occlude the bifurcation of the trachea.

b

: branch

2

: the state of being divided into two branches or parts : the act of bifurcating

Synonyms of bifurcation

• divergence
• divergency

Examples of bifurcation in a Sentence

a thoughtful book about the nation's bifurcation into two distinct and antagonistic cultures

a divisive issue that caused the bifurcation of the political party

Recent Examples on the Web

This bifurcation between companies that value investors and those that do not will determine which public companies succeed and which fail over the long term. —Andrew Behar, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026

This bifurcation of retail has been seen strongly in department stores, where retailers in the middle are challenged. —Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 23 Jan. 2026

There’s also a bifurcation in who’s spending. —Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025

Economic bifurcation The divergence mirrors China’s bifurcated economy, as industries try to adapt to new technologies in the face of a real estate slump and trade disputes with the United States. —Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 9 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see bifurcate

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for bifurcation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation