branch

noun, often attributive \ ˈbranch \

Updated on: 17 May 2018

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 as

a (1) : a stream that flows into another usually larger stream : tributary

the river's smaller branches

(2) Southern & Midland : creek 2

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 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 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 ¹family 5c)

the Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family

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branched

play \ˈbrancht\ adjective

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branchless

play \ˈbranch-ləs\ adjective

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branchy

play \ˈbran-chē\ adjective

See branch defined for English-language learners

See branch defined for kids

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

According to a tracker from The Washington Post in collaboration with the Partnership for Public Service, there is no nominee for more than 200 of the 650-plus key executive branch positions that need confirmation by the Senate.

— clare foran, CNN, "Trump: Senate should approve spending bill with wall, border money or skip August break," 12 May 2018
Cruz is being represented by Nexus Derechos Humanos, the company's civil-rights legal aid branch.

— david ovalle, miamiherald, "Brother of Parkland school shooter gets a new life — and a free apartment — out of state | Miami Herald," 11 May 2018
Those budding branches are intense on their own, musky and herbaceous with an astringent smack befitting the name.

— craig laban, Philly.com, "A worthy destination in the heart of Cambodia Town," 11 May 2018
The zoo posted video of Bei Bei dangling by its hind legs from the branch.

— Fox News, "Panda tumbles from limb at National Zoo, climbs back up," 11 May 2018
The new branch is to eventually run along the Menomonee River's north bank between roughly North 6th and North 25th streets, Misky said.

— tom daykin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Site beneath Milwaukee's High Rise Bridge awaits next wave of Menomonee Valley development," 11 May 2018
That’s 6% of the combined operation’s total branches.

— david meyer, Fortune, "Google Duplex, Apple and Goldman, Drug Prices: CEO Daily for May 11, 2018," 11 May 2018
The judicial branch does not break out costs associated with habeas, but there is a staff of clerks who work on habeas cases at the Rockville courthouse and several judges who preside over trials.

— david owens, courant.com, "Connecticut Courts Overwhelmed With Inmates' Petitions For Release," 11 May 2018
Lack of capital, says the OJK, means fewer branches and dearer funding, which constrains Islamic banks to focus on retail rather than corporate customers.

— The Economist, "The world’s biggest Muslim country wants to boost sharia finance," 10 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.

Origin and Etymology of branch

Middle English, from Anglo-French branche, from Late Latin branca paw

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

branch Synonyms

Other Botany Terms

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

branch

verb

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)