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

But then why spend so much time making Jake and Vince struggle with the moral and legal ramifications of their decisions? —Andrew Bernard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025

Wall Street is brushing off recession risks and the ramifications of a government shutdown, with stocks at healthy highs and interest rate cuts expected soon. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025

The outcome of this game will have large ramifications for the NFC West, as both teams are tied for first at 3-1 coming into the game. —Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Oct. 2025

But major changes could have global ramifications. —Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 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