branch

noun, often attributive

\ ˈbranch

Definition of branch

(Entry 1 of 2)

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 & Midland : 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

branch

verb

branched; branching; branches

Definition of branch (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Other Words from branch Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about branch

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from branch

Noun

branched \ ˈbrancht

\ adjective

branchless \ ˈbranch-ləs

\ adjective

branchy \ ˈbran-chē

\ adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms for branch

Synonyms: Noun

bough, limb

Synonyms: Verb

fan (out), radiate, ray

Antonyms: Verb

concentrate, converge, focus, funnel, meet

Examples of branch in a Sentence

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: Noun

On his plot of land, Sawadogo had built a small shelter out of branches. — Peter Whoriskey, Anchorage Daily News, "Much of the chocolate you buy starts with child labor," 6 June 2019 The library is encouraging customers to visit any of the other nine branches for library services during this period. — baltimoresun.com, "Aberdeen: Free Starbucks at farmers market next two Thursdays," 6 June 2019 On his plot of land, Sawadogo had built a small shelter out of branches. — Washington Post, "Cocoa’s child laborers," 5 June 2019 For example, the use of physical bank branches has declined significantly over the last few years. — Beth Kowitt, Fortune, "How Some of the World's Oldest Banks Are Moving to a Digital Future," 4 June 2019 In the Bronx, where Figueroa lives, the borough has the lowest concentration of bank branches per household of anywhere in the nation , according to a 2015 report by the New York City Comptroller’s office, while check cashers are common. — Alexandra Olson, The Seattle Times, "As cashless stores grow, so does the backlash," 14 Apr. 2019 All of our current justices except Justice Kagan have come from the Federal Courts of Appeals, and none have worked in any of the other branches of the government. — Todd Plummer, Town & Country, "With Brett Kavanaugh on the Court, Every Single Justice Will Have Attended Harvard or Yale," 10 July 2018 Getting a branch in the eye is not my idea of a good time. — Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, "Another Reason Why You Should Always Wear Safety Glasses," 13 Mar. 2019 Today, some Christian churches reenact the parade, while others incorporate palms or other branches in the mass or service. — Woman's Day Staff, Woman's Day, "When Is Palm Sunday? Here's Everything You Need to Know," 4 Mar. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

With ancient creatures branching off to modern-day animals, this was the catalytic moment when Darwin realized with all certainty that all plants and animals are related. — Rachael Lallensack, Smithsonian, "Here Are 12 Things You Might Miss in the Smithsonian’s New Fossil Hall," 7 June 2019 Jenner launched Kylie Cosmetics in 2015, beginning with her lip iconic lip kits and then branching out with everything from eyeshadow palettes to illuminating powders to concealers and more. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Kylie Jenner's Kylie Cosmetics Line Launched at Ulta Today and Twitter Can't Deal," 17 Nov. 2018 The network started at a 20-foot drop from a hole in his basement and branched into tunnels totaling about 200 feet, according to prosecutors and police. — Dan Morse, Washington Post, "Mysterious tunnels in Bethesda murder case were being built as nuclear bomb shelter," 31 May 2018 Colton also started using again, and would soon branch out to cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and acid. — Jeanne Whalen, WSJ, "After Addiction Comes Families’ Second Blow: The Crushing Cost of Rehab," 8 Mar. 2018 Now the company, owned by husband and wife Brad and Moneen McBride of Cuyahoga Falls, is branching out to the Mahoning River too. — Megan Becka, cleveland.com, "Burning River Adventures kayak and canoe rental adds Mahoning River livery," 9 May 2018 That’s not to say tech companies aren’t branching out at all beyond the top four markets, especially as real estate costs balloon in the upper echelon of tech cities. — Rani Molla, Recode, "Amazon, Apple and others are expanding out of major tech cities — but mostly to other major tech cities," 20 Dec. 2018 Before branching into Kohl's, the sisters had previously worked with JcPenney on a clothing line in 2009, WWD reports. — Lauren Rearick, Teen Vogue, "Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s Elizabeth and James Line Is Coming to Kohl’s," 11 Apr. 2019 Initially operating as an online retailer, the company has branched out into brick-and-mortar stores, its newest one opening in the Town Center Crossing shopping center in Leawood this September. — Tuft & Needle, kansascity, "'Mattress Stores Are Greedy,' Except For This One (Sponsored) | The Kansas City Star," 14 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'branch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about branch

Dictionary Entries near branch

Statistics for branch

Last Updated

13 Jun 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for branch

The first known use of branch was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for branch

branch

noun

English Language Learners Definition of branch

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a part of a tree that grows out from the trunk

: a local office or shop of a company or organization

: a major part of a government

branch

verb

English Language Learners Definition of branch (Entry 2 of 2)

: to divide into smaller parts : to separate into branches

See the full definition for branch in the English Language Learners Dictionary

branch

noun

\ ˈbranch

Kids Definition of branch

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

verb

branched; branching

Kids Definition of branch (Entry 2 of 2)

: 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