Definition of branch
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 asa (1) : a stream that flows into another usually larger stream : tributary the river's smaller branches (2) Southern & Midland : creek 2b : a side road or way the railroad's branch linec : a slender projection (such as the tine of an antler) the branches of a menorahd mathematics : a distinctive part of a mathematical curve (see 3curve 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 asa : a division of a family descending from a particular ancestor the Iranian branch of the familyb : an area of knowledge that may be considered apart from related areas orthopedics and other branches of medicine syntax is a branch of linguisticsc (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 libraryd linguistics : a language group less inclusive than a family (see 1family 4c) the Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family
From the M-W Editors
Examples of branch in a Sentence
birds singing from the branches of a tree
The bank has a new branch in our area.
She works at the branch office downtown.
Recent Examples of branch from the Web
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The need for more oversight is especially great for stem cell therapies because of the great expectations for this relatively new branch of medicine.
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Those nominations would not give the opposition a supreme court majority but are almost certain to be rejected by the current court and the executive branch, making them a largely symbolic tactic to increase pressure on Maduro.
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QUALITY EATS A branch of Michael Stillman’s West Village restaurant serving steak, especially uncommon cuts, takes root on Upper East Side: 1496 Second Avenue (78th Street), 212-256-9922, qualityeats.com.
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The executive branch’s decision to scale back enforcement of WOTUS specifically and clean-water regulation in general is also an example of how Trump’s broader anti-regulatory agenda often overlaps with his personal financial interests.
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Gov. Kay Ivey today banned officials in the executive branch from appointing registered lobbyists to serve on state boards and commissions.
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Business office hours at each of the court branches, which had been reduced in previous years but were restored last year, will remain the same.
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PM - Tully, Jeff Requested size: Actual size: 119 lin - 16.47i Category: Contextual use: Normal Description: Correction: Usages of this branch: TNBroadsheet .NoDate, BLR/1 - Local, BLR_SPORTS All usages:
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Last year, a push to amend the Legislative Branch appropriations bill to add a CRS transparency measure led by Reps.
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.
Origin and Etymology of branch
Middle English, from Anglo-French branche, from Late Latin branca paw
Other Botany Terms
branch
Definition of branch
intransitive verb
1 botany : to put forth secondary shoots or stems : to put forth branches (see 1branch 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 1branch 2e)
transitive verb
1 : to ornament with designs of branches (see 1branch 1) branched velvet
2 : to divide up : section
Examples of branch in a Sentence
The stream branches from the river near their house.
threads branched from the center of the spider web
Recent Examples of branch from the Web
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Once ashore, these four-limbed vertebrates, called tetrapods, branched into an impressive range of animals: amphibians, reptiles, dinosaurs, birds and mammals.
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After sitting about three miles from the towers the amazing double branched upward lightning showed itself.
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The show’s finale finally sees an attempt to branch out into new territory, with a plot adjustment that makes sense for all the characters involved, and a joyous big finish that doesn’t merely trade on the good feelings of the source material.
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The robots have branched out beyond class to allow students to take part in weekly brown-bag sessions where students present their research findings.
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Their branching arms also provide good habitat for small fish and other marine life.
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Other Reiki practitioners are branching out into the four-legged community as well.
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The rest of Anne With an E will reportedly branch out from the book by exploring how Matthew and Marilla ended up unmarried and living together at Green Gables, while continuing to add depth to Anne’s biography.
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If the arteries that branch out through the lungs are of normal or near-normal size, outcomes are better.
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.
Origin and Etymology of branch
see 1branch
BRANCH Defined for English Language Learners
branch
playDefinition of branch for English Language Learners
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: a part of a tree that grows out from the trunk
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: a local office or shop of a company or organization
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: a major part of a government
branch
Definition of branch for English Language Learners
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: to divide into smaller parts : to separate into branches
BRANCH Defined for Kids
Definition of branch for Students
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.
branched
\ˈbrancht\ adjectiveDefinition of branch for Students
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
Medical Dictionary
branch
playMedical 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 verbLaw Dictionary
branch
Legal Definition of branch
: 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
Learn More about branch
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See words that rhyme with branch Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for branch Spanish Central: Translation of branch Nglish: Translation of branch for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of branch for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about branch
Seen and Heard
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