ramification

noun

ram·​i·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌra-mə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

a

: branch, offshoot

b

: a branched structure

2

a

: the act or process of branching

b

: arrangement of branches (as on a plant)

3

: consequence, outgrowth

the ramifications of the decision

Examples of ramification in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Victor Cha, the Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the potential international ramifications of the case are considerable, especially for the United States, a South Korean treaty ally with tens of thousands of troops at bases on the Korean Peninsula. —Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 14 Nov. 2025

Jessi Ngatikaura is dealing with the ramifications of affair rumors, while Demi Engemann claims the rest of MomTok has not been supportive of her amid assault allegations. —Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025

Experts say that growing misinformation and concerns about vaccines for pets—happening in tandem with plummeting childhood vaccination rates and efforts to end vaccine mandates—represent a serious public-health issue that has ramifications for humans as well as their four-legged family members. —Angela Haupt, Time, 13 Nov. 2025

Meanwhile, the ramifications of last year’s trade deadline continue to linger. —Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Rhymes for ramification

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

ramification

noun

ram·​i·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌram-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act or process of branching

2

: outgrowth sense 1

the ramifications of the decision

Medical Definition

ramification

noun

ram·​i·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌram-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act or process of branching

specifically : the mode of arrangement of branches

2

: a branch or offshoot from a main stock or channel

the ramification of an artery

also : the resulting branched structure

make visible the whole ramification of the dendrite