\ 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
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
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
verbbranched; branching; branches
Definition of branch (Entry 2 of 2)
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 frompoetry that branched from religious prose
4 : to extend activities
—usually used with outthe 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)
1 : to ornament with designs of branches (see branch entry 1 sense 1)
branched velvet
2 : to divide up : section
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Other Words from branch
Noun
branched \ ˈbrancht \ adjective
\ adjectivebranchless \ ˈbranch-ləs \ adjective
\ adjectivebranchy \ ˈbran-chē \ adjective
\ adjectiveSynonyms & Antonyms for branch
Synonyms: Noun
Synonyms: Verb
Antonyms: Verb
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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
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun After that, the release said, Great Parks will coordinate with the Ohio Department of Transportation to extend the Connector further west to the Mariemont branch of the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library.
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Jeanne Houck, The Enquirer, "Columbia Connector opening 'couldn't have come at a better time,' township official says," 8 Oct. 2020 Senior adviser to the president Stephen Miller, press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, three of her deputies and Trump 2020 campaign manager Bill Stepien are just some of those close to the executive branch that have tested positive.
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Elizabeth Elkind, CBS News, "Pence's negative COVID-19 test could be "meaningless," doctor warns ahead of VP debate," 7 Oct. 2020 People also produce several kinds of T-cells, which belong to another disease-fighting branch of the immune system, that recognize the novel coronavirus.
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Kate Baggaley, Popular Science, "Here’s what Donald Trump should know about recovering from COVID-19," 6 Oct. 2020 The supreme court ruled that the 1945 law constitutes an unconstitutional delegation of lawmaking authority from the legislative to the executive branch.
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Scott Mcclallen, Washington Examiner, "Michigan Supreme Court rules against Gretchen Whitmer's executive powers," 5 Oct. 2020 Additionally, materials returned to the branch will be quarantined for three days.
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Jon Arnold, Dallas News, "Mesquite’s North Branch Library is reopening soon; here’s what visitors should know," 30 Sep. 2020 All women were expected to give 10% of their pay to People of Praise, another 1% to the South Bend branch and additional tithes to their churches.
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The Salt Lake Tribune, "SCOTUS nominee Amy Coney Barrett tied to faith group ex-members say subjugates women," 29 Sep. 2020 All women were expected to give 10% of their pay to People of Praise, another 1% to the South Bend branch and additional tithes to their churches.
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Michael Biesecker And Michelle R. Smith, USA TODAY, "Supreme Court nominee Amy Barrett's ties to faith group draw questions about its treatment of women," 29 Sep. 2020 All women were expected to give 10% of their pay to People of Praise, another 1% to the South Bend branch and additional tithes to their churches.
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Michael Biesecker And Michelle R. Smith, Star Tribune, "Barrett tied to faith group ex-members say subjugates women," 28 Sep. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The result is a convoluted and ever-changing web of beliefs which branch off from the central worldview.
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CNN, "He went down the QAnon rabbit hole for two years. Here's how he got out," 16 Oct. 2020 Separate wings branch out from the center, each with their own separate function, according to Mr. Bisignano.
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Katherine Clarke, WSJ, "Slim Aarons Immortalized This Richard Neutra Home in ‘Poolside Gossip.’ Now It’s Selling for $25 Million.," 15 Oct. 2020 Several hiking trails branch off from this road as well, including the trek to the top of Humphreys Peak.
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Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, "Flagstaff to Grand Canyon is one of Arizona's most gorgeous drives. Here's how to do it," 9 Oct. 2020 Lashlee served as Auburn’s offensive coordinator for each of Malzahn’s first four seasons on the Plains before seeking other opportunities to branch out and grow his own offensive philosophies out of the shadow of his longtime mentor.
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Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, "Gus Malzahn: Former protege Rhett Lashlee doing ‘best coaching job in the country’ so far at Miami," 29 Sep. 2020 Several other trails branch off, but signs (both official and unofficial) will point you to the namesake tree.
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oregonlive, "Cathedral Tree is a tucked-away treasure in the urban forests of Astoria," 29 Sep. 2020 Carey says Mottola didn't see hip-hop as more than a fad, and frequently resisted her efforts to branch out into the realm – sometimes with explosive results.
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Joe Lynch, Billboard, "13 Things You Need to Know About 'The Meaning of Mariah Carey' Memoir," 29 Sep. 2020 Ismail is credited with helping come up with the idea for Marcus when the bank was looking to branch out five years ago.
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Sridhar Natarajan, Bloomberg.com, "Goldman Consumer Chief to Give Up Post in Leadership Change," 28 Sep. 2020 After the success of the Shanghai store, Costco is already working on plans to branch out in China.
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Laura He, CNN, "Sea cucumbers are helping Costco clean up in China," 27 Aug. 2020
See MoreThese 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.
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More Definitions for branch
branch
nounEnglish 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
verbEnglish 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
verbbranched; 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
branch
noun\ ˈbranch \
\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
Other Words from branch
branch intransitive verb
branched \ ˈbrancht \ adjective
\ adjectiveKeep scrolling for more
branch
nounLegal 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
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Time Traveler for branch
The first known use of branch was in the 13th century
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