branch

1 of 2

noun

ˈbranch 

often attributive

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 US and Midland US : 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

branched

ˈbrancht 

adjective

branchless

ˈbranch-ləs 

adjective

branchy

ˈbran-chē 

adjective

branch

2 of 2

verb

branched; branching; branches

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

Synonyms

Noun

• bough
• limb

Verb

• fan (out)
• radiate
• ray

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

Be cautious of ice accumulating on power lines or tree branches, which can lead to snapping and falling hazards. —Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2025

The case is being led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a law enforcement branch within the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025

Verb

Since retirement, the 48-year-old has branched into many areas, including marketing, finance, media and property. —Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025

Veins branching along my skin like the waterways of my mother country. —Lauren Vuong, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

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

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing branch

• branch line
• branch off
• branch out
• branch water
• inter-branch
• olive branch
• root and branch
• sub-branch

Rhymes for branch

• blanch
• cranch
• ranch
• stanch
• tranche
• avalanche

Kids Definition

branch

1 of 2 noun

ˈbranch 

1

: a natural division of a plant stem (as a bough growing from a trunk or twig from a bough)

2

: something extending from a main line or source

river branch

a railroad branch

3

: a separate or subordinate division or part of a central system

executive branch of the government

a branch of a bank

branched

ˈbrancht 

adjective

branchless

ˈbranch-ləs 

adjective

branch

2 of 2 verb

1

: to send out branches : spread or separate into branches

a great elm branches over the yard

2

: to spring out from a main body or line : diverge

streets branching off the highway

3

: to extend activities

the business is branching out all over the state

Medical Definition

branch

noun

ˈbranch 

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 verb

branched

ˈbrancht 

adjective

Legal Definition

branch

noun

: 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