1
a
: a collateral or derived branch, descendant, or member : outgrowth
b
: a lateral branch (as of a mountain range)
2
: a branch of a main stem especially of a plant
Examples of offshoot in a Sentence
The business started as an offshoot of an established fashion design company.
we knew the rosebush had survived the harsh winter when it began producing offshoots and turning green again
Recent Examples on the Web
From 2004-2007, Hansen’s To Catch a Predator, a special offshoot of Dateline that targeted alleged child predators, averaged just over 7 million viewers, bumping up the newsmagazine’s series average by 13%, according to Nielsen.
—
Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
These fighters belong to guerrilla groups like the National Liberation Army (ELN) and offshoots of the now-defunct FARC rebels, as well as criminal organizations like the Gaitanist Army of Colombia, also known as the Clan del Golfo.
—Catherine Ellis, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
What began as a playful offshoot of the sardine girl aesthetic is quickly solidifying into one of this summer’s defining handbag stories.
—Lauren Fisher, Footwear News, 25 May 2026
One such extremist offshoot — known as the MudBoots — serves as the antagonist during the game.
—Ian Stokes, Space.com, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for offshoot
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Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
These fighters belong to guerrilla groups like the National Liberation Army (ELN) and offshoots of the now-defunct FARC rebels, as well as criminal organizations like the Gaitanist Army of Colombia, also known as the Clan del Golfo.
—Catherine Ellis, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
What began as a playful offshoot of the sardine girl aesthetic is quickly solidifying into one of this summer’s defining handbag stories.
—Lauren Fisher, Footwear News, 25 May 2026
One such extremist offshoot — known as the MudBoots — serves as the antagonist during the game.
—Ian Stokes, Space.com, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for offshoot
Cite this Entry
“Offshoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/offshoot. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
offshoot
noun
off·shoot
ˈȯf-ˌshüt 
1
: something that branches out from something else
2
: a branch of a main stem of a plant
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