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

Unfortunately, these drastic changes around the conference also had drastic ramifications on the three-day early national signing day period for high school recruits, which began on Wednesday. —Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025

Because experts agree that the potential ramifications are quite dangerous for kids being targeted by the trend, and even for kids who are participating. —Melissa Willets, Parents, 3 Dec. 2025

But a third outcome could have major ramifications. —Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025

The conflicts of the play, written by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, are both large and easily dismissed in the script, despite the world ramifications that impacted the course of rock and roll history. —David John Chávez, Mercury News, 2 Dec. 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