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 some Democrats are concerned about the political ramifications for the party amid the rise of socialism, and whether that could alienate some moderate voters. —Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025

Rivalry game chaos scenarios Five historic rivalry games will be played Thanksgiving weekend that have big-time CFP ramifications. —Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025

The clause, under Article 1, Section 6, of the Constitution, would give members of Congress immunity to read the client list aloud without ramifications in court for defamation. —Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 16 Nov. 2025

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

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